Laquon Treadwell hardly allowed a reporter to finish asking when the last time was that he was a healthy scratch before the rookie wide receiver, who was active but did not play in Week 1, blurted out, "Never."
"It was more mentally challenging," he said. "But you've got to go through it, create some fuel, I guess, to play harder. I don't know. I've never been through this. I'll just come in and work harder and get better."
Even though starting split end Charles Johnson caught only one pass for five yards in the 25-16 win against the Titans, the Vikings did not give a single snap to Treadwell, the 23rd overall pick in this year's draft.
Coach Mike Zimmer explained Monday that he "still has work to do."
Zimmer pointed to fellow wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who did not suit up the first three games of his 2015 rookie season and then exploded in his NFL debut, as an example of playing a rookie when the time is right.
But Treadwell wasn't interested in comparing their experiences today.
"We're two different people, though," the 21-year-old said. "Everybody's situation is different. Everybody's situation is different. You've just got to keep getting better and go along with the team, keep competing."
Treadwell said Zimmer told him before the Titans game that, barring an injury, he would not have a role on offense during his own NFL debut.
"We had a brief conversation," he said. "But it's part of the game. It's his call. You've got to go with it and keep getting better every week."
So what does Treadwell feel he needs to do to earn playing time?
"Just be me and continue to compete and get better," Treadwell said. "That's all I can do. My role will come whenever they give it to me."
