Osborn's strong 2022 gave some optimism for a 2023 breakout campaign, but once the Vikings drafted Jordan Addison, Osborn became an afterthought. He should still play plenty as a No. 3 receiver in the Vikings' pass-happy offense, but Addison's arrival means Osborn is back in a fight for attention from Kirk Cousins. Last year was the first time Osborn saw over three catches per game, and it was his second straight with over 600 yards and at least five scores. Those feel like safe expectations for this season unless Justin Jefferson or Addison miss playing time. If that happens, Osborn would be worth rostering. Until then, he's worth chancing after 150th overall if your rosters are deep enough.
Vikings' K.J. Osborn: One catch in return from concusssion
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Osborn had one reception for seven yards on two targets in Sunday's loss at Denver.
Osborn returned after missing a game due to a concussion. He started opposite Jordan Addison and played on 71 of the offense's 75 snaps, so he was back to his full role. However, Osborn didn't see many targets with the Vikings struggling to pass the ball more than a few yards downfield.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Set to return Sunday
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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Osborn (concussion) will practice fully Wednesday with the expectation that he'll play Sunday against the Broncos, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
After Osborn was carted off the field during the Week 9 win over the Falcons upon bearing the brunt of a helmet-to-helmet hit, he made surprisingly quick progress through the five-step concussion protocol. He resumed practicing in a limited fashion last Thursday, practiced fully Friday and passed the final phase of the protocol when he gained clearance from an independent neurologist Saturday, but the Vikings ultimately opted to hold Osborn out of an eventual 27-19 win over the Saints on Sunday as a precaution. Osborn apparently hasn't taken any steps backward in his recovery from the brain injury since the weekend, and with a full practice under his belt to open Week 11 prep, he shouldn't face any restrictions in Denver.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Sitting out Sunday
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Osborn (concussion) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Saints.
Osborn was knocked out of last Sunday's game in Atlanta due to a concussion, but he made quick progress through the protocol for head injuries this week, getting back to all activity Friday before gaining clearance from an independent neurologist Saturday. Still, both the wide receiver and team itself are deciding to exercise caution and not rush him back considering he remained motionless on the field after the helmet-to-helmet hit that caused the concussion. With Osborn sidelined, Justin Jefferson (hamstring) still on injured reserve, and tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs) expected to take on less work than normal, rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison should be targeted early and often by quarterback Joshua Dobbs, with Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, N'Keal Harry and Jalen Nailor the other options at wide receiver for Minnesota.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Appears unlikely to play Sunday
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Osborn (concussion) is listed as questionable but is considered unlikely to play Sunday against the Saints, Ed Werder of ESPN reports.
Osborn was motionless on the field for several minutes before being carted off the field during last week's win over the Falcons after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Atlanta cornerback Dee Alford. He was diagnosed with a concussion soon thereafter, but despite the scary nature of the head injury, Osborn made rapid progress through the five-step protocol. After returning to practice Thursday in a limited fashion, Osborn turned in a full practice Friday and then passed the final step of the protocol by gaining clearance from an independent neurologist. However, Werder says both Osborn and coaches are leaning toward having the wideout sit out Sunday, likely for precautionary purposes more than anything. Official confirmation on Osborn's status will arrive when the Vikings post their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but if he's sidelined, more targets could open up for depth receivers such as Brandon Powell and Trishton Jackson.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Questionable after full practice
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Osborn (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Matthew Coller of 1500 ESPN reports that Osborn progressed to full participation Friday after returning to practice Thursday as a limited participant. He'll still need clearance from an independent neurologist, whereas fellow pass catchers Justin Jefferson (hamstring) and T.J. Hockenson (ribs) -- both listed as questionable -- likely will consult with team doctors before a decision is made on their availability. The Vikings and Saints have an early afternoon kickoff at 1 ET.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Returns to limited practice
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Osborn (concussion) was limited at practice Thursday.
Osborn endured a helmet-to-helmet hit this past Sunday in Atlanta that sent him into the concussion protocol, which didn't allow him to log any on-field work Wednesday. One day later, though, he made his way back to the practice field and logged some reps, per Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Osborn likely has a few more phases to pass through to gain clearance to play again, but he at least is on a path to do so. Friday's injury report could be telling for his potential to suit up Sunday versus the Saints.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Sits out first Week 10 practice
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Osborn (concussion) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice.
Osborn was on the receiving end of a helmet-to-helmet hit this past Sunday in Atlanta that sent him into the concussion protocol. The play left him motionless on the turf for a handful of minutes before he made his way to the sideline and eventually the locker room. Osborn's inability to take part in the Vikings' first Week 10 practice isn't a promising sign that he's on track to clear all five phases of the protocol in time to play Sunday against the Saints. Ultimately, Osborn's listing on Friday's injury report may be telling for his upcoming availability.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Exits Sunday's game
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Osborn departed Sunday's game at Atlanta with an apparent head injury, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Osborn took a wicked helmet-to-helmet hit from Falcons cornerback Dee Alford in the second quarter and remained on the turf for some time. After he was tended to by the Vikings' medical staff, Osborn got to his feet and made his way to the cart. If he's unable to return, he'll finish Week 9 with two catches (on two targets) for 17 yards.
Osborn (chest) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.
Osborn is coming off his most productive performance of the season (8-99-0 line on 10 targets) this past Sunday at Green Bay. He now has the double whammy of an injury to tend to and the Vikings' No. 1 quarterback Kirk Cousins going down with a torn Achilles in that contest, thereby ending the latter's season. Osborn will have one more chance this week to get back to all on-field work before the team potentially hands him a designation for Sunday's game in Atlanta. Assuming he's able to suit up, he likely will be on the receiving end of passes from rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall considering Joshua Dobbs only joined Minnesota from Arizona on Tuesday.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Just misses 100-yard day
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Osborn caught eight of 10 passes for 99 yards in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Packers.
The fourth-year wideout led Minnesota in catches, yards and targets, but it was Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson on the end of TD passes from Kirk Cousins. The quarterback suffered what's feared to be a season-ending Achilles tear late in Sunday's game, and his loss would impact the production and ceiling of all the team's receiving options, including Osborn. Jaren Hall, a fifth-round pick in 2023, will likely be under center in Week 9 against the Falcons, with veteran backup Nick Mullens (back) eligible to come off IR as soon as Week 10.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Four catches in win
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Osborn secured four of five targets for 48 yards in the Vikings' 19-13 win over the Bears on Sunday.
Osborn moved up a spot on the depth chart with Justin Jefferson (IR, hamstring) sidelined and turned in a solid performance with the extra opportunity. The fourth-year pro has already proven his ability to handle an expanded role by recording 110 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns over the previous two seasons, so his numbers could continue on an upward trajectory while Jefferson remains out.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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No doubt there's some potential here, but some hunches keep me from falling for Osborn this week. One: I think the Vikings will try to get their run game going since they don't have Justin Jefferson. Two: Jordan Addison is far more explosive and T.J. Hockenson has been a much more relied-upon weapon. They should have more targets than Osborn. And the expected zone coverage Chicago will play further will limit Osborn unless he sees more targets than expected. He has more upside than Jerry Jeudy, Jahan Dotson and Tutu Atwell but I'd rather take a shot on Drake London, Terry McLaurin or Chris Godwin.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Could step up with Jefferson on IR
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Osborn could be in line for additional opportunities over the next four games after Minnesota placed Justin Jefferson (hamstring) on injured reserve Wednesday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.
In Jefferson's absence, Osborn and Jordan Addison are projected to serve as Minnesota's top two wide receivers, beginning with a Week 6 matchup against Chicago's shaky secondary. Jefferson drew 53 targets through five games before getting hurt, and those 10.6 targets per game are likely to be distributed primarily between Osborn, Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Osborn has yet to reach 50 yards in a game this season, but he averaged 87.5 receiving yards on 8.3 targets over the final four weeks of the 2022 campaign.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Just one reception
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Osborn had just one reception on two targets in Sunday's win at Carolina.
Neither Osborn nor Jordan Addison (no receptions) had much of a role in the passing game as Justin Jefferson was the only Viking with more than two receptions. Osborn played on 40 of the offense's 48 snaps compared to Addison's 28 snaps. Addison struggled in run blocking, which may be a reason Osborn continues to play more snaps on offense than the former despite inferior receiving stats.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Scores TD but two drops
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Osborn had three receptions on six targets for 34 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown, in Thursday's loss at Philadelphia. He also had two drops.
Osborn's share of playing time on offense decreased in the season's second game, at least compared to rookie Jordan Addison. Addison started in a two-receiver set to begin the game ahead of Osborn, though Osborn played more snaps on offense (53 to 39 snaps). Meanwhile Addison had a strong game with three receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. Osborn could see fewer snaps after two drops during the game, and his role could decline more if the coaching staff gains more confidence in Addison's run blocking, which they have said was the reason for Osborn's usage in two-receiver sets.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Stacks up another solid season
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Osborn caught 60 of 90 targets for 650 yards and five touchdowns while playing all 17 games in the 2022 regular season.
The 25-year-old reprised his role as the Vikings' No. 3 wideout behind superstar Justin Jefferson and longtime veteran Adam Thielen. However, Osborn finished the season as the team's fourth receiving option after that pair and tight end T.J. Hockenson, who accumulated 60 receptions for 519 yards after being acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline. The third-year wideout still posted almost the exact same stat line from his breakout 2021 (50-655-7 on 82 targets). Osborn also capped off the season on a solid note by hauling in two of three targets for 20 yards and his sixth touchdown between regular season and playoffs during the wild-card loss to the Giants. With Thielen seemingly on a decline over the past two seasons, Osborn could be in line for a bigger role heading into the final year of his rookie contract in 2023.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Tops century mark
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Osborn caught five of six targets for 117 yards in Sunday's 29-13 win over the Bears.
Osborn led the Vikings in receiving, with most of his production coming prior to the team's decision to rest its offensive starters during the second half. The 25-year-old enjoyed a strong finish to the regular season, scoring three times while topping 115 yards twice over his last five games. His complementary playmaking figures to bolster quarterback Kirk Cousins' options as Minnesota now turns its attention toward the playoffs.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Week 18 Adds (WR Preview)
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Osborn has been functioning as the Vikings' No. 2 wide receiver and now gets the hapless Bears defense in Week 18. Osborn could also see an increased target share if the Vikings choose to rest Justin Jefferson. Adam Thielen, or T.J. Hockenson.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Catches three passes in win
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Osborn caught three of four targets for 17 yards in Saturday's 27-24 win over the Giants.
Osborn's underwhelming day was a disappointment for fantasy managers hoping for something close to his Week 15 performance, when the wideout caught 10 of his 16 targets for 157 yards and a touchdown. The 25-year-old remains involved as Minnesota's No. 3 receiver, as the Vikings run a high-volume passing attack. With that said, Osborn's fantasy potential is difficult to forecast with so many mouths to feed on one of the league's most talented offenses. The veteran wideout will look to get back on track when the Vikings visit the Packers in Week 17.
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Vikings' K.J. Osborn: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
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Most likely, Osborn's performance against the Colts in Week 15 was a one-week wonder when he had 16 targets for 10 catches, 157 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings were down by 33 points and had to mount a furious comeback by throwing the ball, and prior to Week 15, Osborn had 13 targets combined in his previous four games. But he did score 14 PPR points at Detroit in Week 14 also with five catches for 38 yards on five targets, and maybe Osborn is starting to move past Adam Thielen as the preferred second receiver for Kirk Cousins behind Justin Jefferson. It's worth adding Osborn to find out, and he could be a No. 3 receiver in deeper leagues against the Giants in Week 16.
