N’Keal Harry, who has faced consistent challenges in securing playing time and holding a spot on practice squads, now finds himself with an opportunity to contribute to the Minnesota Vikings for the next four weeks.
This chance arose as Minnesota decided to place wide receiver Justin Jefferson on the injured reserve list due to a hamstring injury and subsequently elevated Harry to the 53-man roster. While it’s unlikely that the former Patriots wide receiver will replicate Jefferson’s impressive numbers from the first five games, head coach Kevin O’Connell has expressed his appreciation for what Harry brings to the team.
“Since his arrival, he’s shown physicality in the run game,” O’Connell shared with reporters on Wednesday. “He offers something different in terms of his size compared to what we have in our receiving corps. We certainly have many capable blockers, but he adds a level of physicality.”
N’Keal Harry’s journey in the NFL has been marked by challenges. Drafted in the first round by the New England Patriots in 2019, he grappled with injuries and didn’t complete his rookie contract with the team. In July 2022, the Patriots traded Harry to the Chicago Bears, where he made appearances in seven games.
After spending a year in Chicago, Harry signed with the Vikings, but he was released just before Minnesota’s preseason finale. In September, the team brought him back to their practice squad to bolster their depth at the wide receiver position.
While Harry may not possess the same explosiveness as Jefferson, Coach O’Connell is eager to maximize his potential.
“He brings a different skill set,” O’Connell noted. “Yet, we can certainly find ways to utilize his strengths and look forward to increasing his involvement in our game plan.”
