Vikings Snap Counts: Tyler Conklin continues to shine

Tyler Conklin is the real deal.

The Minnesota Vikings tight end filled in once again for Kyle Rudolph, who has missed back-to-back games with a foot injury.

Last week, Conklin caught a career-high five passes for 40 yards while playing 57% of the offensive snaps against Tampa Bay. This week against Chicago, Conklin was on the field for 66% of the plays and hauled in three of four targets for a career-best 57 yards and a touchdown, his first career score.

With the Vikings trailing by 10 points in the fourth quarter, Conklin grabbed a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins at the line of scrimmage and sprinted up the field 20 yards, dragging three Bears defenders with him into the end zone.

He can block, he can catch, and he can YAC!

Not a bad time for your first score, @T_Conk1

📱: https://t.co/EYGyNNxBPN pic.twitter.com/7oA7gOHIhA

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 20, 2020

Rudolph has registered more than 57 receiving yards just twice this season, and he’s recorded 40+ yards in back-to-back games once.

Conklin will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2021 season. The do-it-all tight end might have earned a contract extension over the past two weeks alone.

Other notes from Sunday’s snap counts:

— Cameron Danztler played 61 of the Vikings’ 64 defensive snaps (95%). According to Pro Football Focus, he’s the top-rated rookie cornerback in the NFL.

— Veteran linebacker Todd Davis tallied his first sack in a Vikings uniform. He played 92% of the defensive snaps as Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr continue to be shelved due to injuries. Minnesota’s leader in sacks on the season is still Yannick Ngakoue (5.0), who was traded to Baltimore after six games.

— Rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson was on the field for more snaps (66) than Adam Thielen (64). Jefferson caught eight passes for 104 yards, while Thielen hauled in two receptions for 11 yards and a score.

— Dalvin Cook was on the field for 76% (52 of 68) of the Vikings snaps. He tallied 29 touches (24 carries, five receptions) on those 52 plays, logging 159 total yards and a score. Backup running back Alexander Mattison was on the field for a mere six plays (9%).

WEEK 15: VS. BEARS (OFFENSE)

WEEK 15: VS. BEARS (DEFENSE)