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News | Minnesota Vikings – vikings.com

Snap Counts: K.J. Osborn Leads Vikings WR Group After Thielen Exits

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings sit at 5-7 after Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Lions.

Minnesota is now on a short week as it hosts Pittsburgh on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is at 7:20 p.m. (CT) from U.S. Bank Stadium.

Here's a look at Minnesota's snap counts in Week 13:

— Kirk Cousins and a new-look offensive line played all 76 offensive snaps. Minnesota started Olisaemeka Udoh at left tackle, Garrett Bradbury at center and Mason Cole at right guard. Ezra Cleveland (left guard) and Brian O'Neill (right tackle) stayed in their usual spots.

— K.J. Osborn led all Vikings receivers with 70 snaps. He had four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. Justin Jefferson played 69 snaps, recording a career day with 11 catches for 182 yards and a score. Adam Thielen played just six snaps before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Dede Westbrook (32 snaps) also saw time at receiver.

— Alexander Mattison played 65 snaps, recording 124 total yards (90 rushing) and scoring on the ground. Fullback C.J. Ham played 25 snaps on Sunday. Rookie Kene Nwangwu played nine snaps, recording two carries for no yards.

— Tyler Conklin put in a full effort, playing 72 offensive snaps. He had seven catches for 56 yards in the loss. Chris Herndon and Luke Stocker each played 13 snaps, with neither recording a catch.

— Dan Chisena played five snaps at wide receiver, and Blake Brandel was on the field for one snap as an extra lineman.

— Defensively, the Vikings had six players — Xavier Woods, Harrison Smith, Blake Lynch, Nick Vigil, Cameron Dantzler and Bashaud Breeland — who were on the field for all 72 snaps. Lynch had a pair of sacks and also forced and recovered a fumble.

— Eric Kendricks missed his first game of the season, meaning Woods is the only player to be on the field for all 834 defensive snaps this season. With Kendricks and Anthony Barr out, Troy Dye was on the field for 30 snaps as the third linebacker.

— Mackensie Alexander played 42 snaps as the slot cornerback. Minnesota was also without cornerback Patrick Peterson, who is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

— D.J. Wonnum (64 snaps) and Sheldon Richardson (62 snaps) endured a heavy workload at defensive end. Wonnum had a sack, and has gotten to the opposing quarterback in back-to-back games. Kenny Willekes added depth with 37 snaps.

View game action photos between the Vikings and Lions during the Week 13 matchup at Ford Field.

— Dalvin Tomlinson (Reserve/COVID-19 list) and Michael Pierce (Injured Reserve/elbow) were back in the middle of the defense as starters. Tomlinson led interior linemen with 35 snaps, and Pierce played 32 as part of a heavy rotation. Armon Watts was on the field for 30 snaps, and James Lynch played 16 snaps against the Lions.

— A handful of other defenders played sparingly at Ford Field. Josh Metellus played six snaps on defense in the Vikings three-safety package. Patrick Jones II was on the field for three snaps, Kris Boyd played two snaps and Tashawn Bower lined up for a single play.

— With Blake Lynch playing every defensive snap, Dye took over his role as the main special teamer with 24 snaps played there. Ham, Chisena, Metellus, Ryan Connelly and Myles Dorn saw the field for 19 snaps on special teams. Boyd played 18 snaps there, and rookie Chazz Surratt played 17 snaps.

— Stocker and Woods (12 snaps apiece) played double-digit snaps on special teams, as did Greg Joseph and Harrison Hand (10 snaps apiece).

— Nwangwu played six special teams snaps, recording two kickoff returns for 65 yards. His longest return was 44 yards.

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