With Vikings receiver Percy Harvin nursing an ankle that he says was sprained in three places, it was foolish to think the Vikings would be able to plug in another slot receiver and expect him to do what Harvin does as well as any slot receiver.
Someone forgot to tell Jarius Wright how foolish that thought was.
Wright made an immediate splash for Minnesota, catching a 54-yard pass and then a three-yard touchdown on the team’s first scoring drive of the game. Wright’s first career reception was the second longest first career reception in team history, second only to Adrian Peterson’s 60-yard catch-and-run for a score in his 2007 debut against the Falcons.
Wright finished with three receptions for a team-high 65 yards.
After the game, Wright told PFT that he knew his chance was likely coming from the day Harvin was injured. By Wednesday, Wright knew that he’d definitely dress on Sunday, the first NFL regular-season appearance for the rookie fourth-round pick from Arkansas.
Asked what advice he received from Harvin as Wright prepared for his debut, Wright said, “Percy gives me advice every day.” Wright said that the best guidance he has received from the 2009 NFL offensive rookie of the year is a “play every play like it’s your last.”
Wright hopes he’s done enough to continue to play once Harvin is healthy. And while Wright had said he’s ready for playing in an NFL venue because he has played in much larger and louder college stadiums, his first taste of pro football showed him that it’s just as loud at the next level.
“This Metrodome really rocks,” Wright said.
If the Vikings can emerge with their upcoming Soldier Field/Lambeau Field road trip with at least a split, the Metrodome will be rocking like never before when the Bears come to town on December 9.
