Tough news out of Minnesota. Vikings receiver Olabisi Johnson tore an ACL during practice on Friday, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link).
Also known as ‘Bisi,’ Johnson was drafted in the seventh-round in 2019, and he’s made pretty solid contributions for a 247th overall pick. He started six games as a rookie, finishing with 31 catches for 294 yards and three touchdowns. This past year he made three starts, racking up 14 catches for 189 yards. Needless to say, the Colorado State product will now spend his entire third season on injured reserve.
It’s awful news for the 24-year-old, and for a Vikings offense that doesn’t have a ton of receiver depth. Minnesota will now be extra glad that they decided to sign Dede Westbrook last week. They obviously Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson at the top, but things are pretty thin beyond them and Westbrook.
Chad Beebe could stand to get some extra looks as a result of the injury. Here’s to hoping Johnson makes a full and smooth recovery in time for the 2022 season, which will be the last of his rookie deal.
Olabisi? Hardly knew her
How important was that Westbrook signing now?
Definitely looks ALOT better!! Johnson was one of their few other promising options, besides their top two guys, Cook, and Irv Smith..
Just like the 49ers with Deebo, Aiyuk, Kittle, and then Mostert/Sermon/Juice, Minnesota better hope nothing happens to Thielan nor Jefferson; otherwise, their WR depth could get tested real quick.
At least Minny has Westbrook though, the 49ers basically only have a supposedly healthy and improved Sanu, a big and pretty slow question mark in Jujuan Jennings, a 3rd year talented but consistently unavailable RB converted into a WR in Jalen Hurd, a small return man with drop issues in Richie James, a former 1st Round bust in Kevin White, a rookie UDFA in Austin Watkins, and then Trent Sherfield and Travis Benjamin who sat out last season….
Ohhh, an I almost forgot, but they also brought in now a heavier “TE” in Jordan Matthews too…Sooo, yeah, hopefully Deebo and Aiyuk stay healthy; otherwise, they are going to look really bad not trying harder to sign Westbrook earlier before the Vikings even brought him in..
Paging Larry Fitzgerald jr…