Inside The Vikings

How Ex-Vikings Like Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook Performed in Week 2

Thielen caught his first touchdown pass as a member of the Panthers on Monday Night Football.

Will Ragatz

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Let's check in on how some notable 2022 Vikings did with their new teams in Week 2 of the 2023 season. (Here's the Week 1 recap).

Panthers WR Adam Thielen: 7 catches, 54 yards, TD in loss vs. Saints

After a quiet two-catch Panthers debut, Thielen was involved early and often against the Saints on Monday Night Football. He's quickly become a nice short-yardage security blanket for No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. Thielen caught his first Carolina touchdown late in the game, the 56th receiving TD of his career. He still isn't creating much separation or earning targets downfield, but the 33-year-old Thielen should see major volume on a bad team.

Jets RB Dalvin Cook: 5 touches, 12 yards in loss vs. Cowboys

This was a rough one for Cook and the Bills' entire running game; Breece Hall only had nine yards on his four carries. Even with Zach Wilson at quarterback, bigger days should be ahead when the Jets aren't facing the Cowboys' dominant defense. Still, it's been quite the slow start for Cook as a Jet.

Steelers CB Patrick Peterson: 2 catches on 4 targets, 46 yards allowed, 1 PBU, 2 tackles, 1 penalty in win vs. Browns

Peterson played a whopping 85 defensive snaps against Cleveland on Monday night and finished with a decent 63.0 PFF grade. The ageless veteran was having fun out there in his first win with the Steelers.

Browns DT Dalvin Tomlinson: 69.4 PFF grade, 3 pressures, 2 QB hits in loss vs. Steelers

As expected, Tomlinson has hit the ground rolling with the Browns by doing what he always does. He's a big-time block-eater in the middle of a defensive line who can provide some pass rush juice as well.

Browns EDGE Za'Darius Smith: 77.6 PFF grade, 1 pressure, 1 TFL in loss vs. Steelers

After a dominant debut with the Browns, Smith was a bit quieter against the Steelers with only one pressure — but he still played well. Thankfully, he was able to return to the game after briefly leaving to be evaluated for an injury. It was a tough night for the Browns, who lost to Pittsburgh and lost star RB Nick Chubb for the year.

Others

  • Irv Smith Jr. had 2 catches for 10 yards on 4 targets for the now 0-2 Bengals
  • Chandon Sullivan played 47 defensive snaps for the Steelers
  • Duke Shelley only appeared on special teams for the Rams again

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Will Ragatz
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