The Minnesota Vikings will activate All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson off injured reserve Tuesday, the team announced. Here’s what you need to know:
- Jefferson, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, has missed the Vikings’ (6-6) last seven games — wins against the Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints and losses to the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.
- The Vikings (6-6) listed Jefferson as questionable in the week leading up to Monday’s loss to the Bears. Minnesota has a bye in Week 13, meaning a Week 14 return is likely.
- They designated him to return to practice from injured reserve in Week 10. Jefferson was once again a limited participant in practice this week.
Why now?
Because Jefferson is ready. He practiced nearly at 100 percent this past week, but the Vikings held him out with an eye on the long-term outlook. Minnesota has key games down the stretch — including a home matchup against the Packers and two games against the Detroit Lions.
Advertisement
Having Jefferson fully healthy for those contests was the team’s priority. Jefferson will have this week’s bye week to continue to heal his hamstring strain, and the team is prepared for him to play in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders. — Alec Lewis, Vikings staff writer
What this means for Vikings down the stretch
Their offense has its best player back when it certainly needs him. The Vikings have turned the ball over seven times in their previous two games. They lost both games by a combined three points. A bye week will offer coach Kevin O’Connell and Minnesota’s offensive staff an opportunity to sort through their quarterback situation.
They considered benching Josh Dobbs on Monday night against the Bears but did not pull the trigger. Moving to experienced backup Nick Mullens might be likely come Week 14’s matchup against the Raiders. Regardless, whether it’s Dobbs, Mullens or rookie Jaren Hall at the helm, they’ll have a player whose gravity will change how defenses respond.
The Vikings will face lighter boxes, which should assist the rushing attack and help Minnesota stay on schedule. Additionally, Jefferson’s presence should add to the team’s ability to be explosive, so long as whoever is doing the quarterbacking can find him. — Lewis
Backstory
Jefferson ranked third in the NFL in both targets (53) and receiving yards (571) at the time of his hamstring injury. Since being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by Minnesota, Jefferson has been one of the league’s best players.
He has had at least 1,400 receiving yards each season and led the NFL with 128 catches for 1,809 yards in 2022.
The Vikings picked up Jefferson’s fifth-year contract option in April, and despite talks of a long-term extension happening last offseason, he and the team have yet to agree to a deal.
Required reading
(Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)
ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57lGlwb3BlanxzfJFsZmppX2eFcLbUrKuipl2fsqeyxKuqqKZdq7astc2gqmaqlanCs7qO