Thielen to miss rest of regular season after ankle surgery

The Minnesota Vikings will be without one of their best weapons in the final stretch of the year.

Minnesota has placed wide receiver Adam Thielen on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least the remainder of the regular season, the team announced Wednesday.

The move comes hours after the veteran pass-catcher underwent surgery on his ankle, sources told Chad Graff of The Athletic.

Thielen played in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams after a two-game absence but reportedly re-aggravated his ankle injury during the game.

The 31-year-old has caught 67 passes for 726 yards and 10 touchdowns through 13 games this season.

Thielen's availability for the postseason is unclear.

The 7-8 Vikings enter Week 17 one game behind the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 6 and No. 7 seed in the NFC, respectively.

Minnesota visits the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football before hosting the Chicago Bears in Week 18.

With Thielen sidelined, K.J. Osborn will be Kirk Cousins' No. 2 wide receiver behind two-time Pro Bowler Justin Jefferson.