If one thing is emerging in the uneven passing game the Minnesota Vikings have going right now, it’s that Michael Jenkins can be a productive performer.

Searching for some help after Sidney Rice bolted in free agency for the Seattle Seahawks, the Vikings scooped up Atlanta’s former first-round draft pick after Jenkins was expendable when the Falcons drafted Julio Jones.

It’s been a good fit so far for Jenkins and the Vikings. It’s just that Donovan McNabb and the Minnesota offense needs more. Jenkins was targeted 11 times in Sunday’s come-from-ahead loss, catching nine balls for 88 yards.

Jenkins has good size and was familiar with offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, who came from the Falcons.

“I feel I still have a lot to prove,” Jenkins said, according to Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “Including that I can be a great receiver in this league. So I'm just trying to go out and work hard. Every ball that comes my way, I'm trying to come down with it.”

The Vikings, though, need to get more production from Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian, the former free-agent prize who’s disappeared since Brett Favre showed up in 2009.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune