Jefferson has proven to be an elite Fantasy wide receiver and will be drafted like one ... as in the No. 1 pick in your league. If it's a PPR format, it's warranted: Last year Jefferson averaged 10.8 targets, 7.5 receptions, 106.4 yards and 21.7 PPR Fantasy points per game. The Vikings' addition of rookie Jordan Addison is designed to make their offense tougher for defenses to cover, but the Vikings figure to stay pass-heavy, meaning Jefferson's targets won't shrivel up. His per-game Fantasy totals have gone up year over year and could potentially continue to rise in his fourth season, making the 24-year-old one of the safest elite picks you could make. No one would fault you if you took Jefferson over Ja'Marr Chase or Christian McCaffrey in a PPR league, but consider a running back over Jefferson if you're picking within the first three spots in half- or non-PPR.
Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Off injury report, will play Sunday
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Jefferson (hamstring) has been removed from the Vikings' injury report and will face no restrictions in his return to game action Sunday versus the Raiders, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
After practicing in a limited fashion for three straight weeks, Jefferson was activated from injured reserve during the Vikings' Week 13 bye, so the standout receiver was fully expected to return to the lineup in Week 14. Jefferson cleared up any lingering concern about the health of his hamstring by turning in a trio of full practices this week, setting him up to play his usual 90-plus-percent snap share this Sunday. For just the second game in his career, however, Jefferson will be catching passes from someone other Kirk Cousins, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 8. The Vikings are electing to stick with Joshua Dobbs as their starting quarterback coming out of their bye week, though the trade-deadline pickup may be on a short leash after throwing four interceptions in Minnesota's 12-10 loss to the Bears in Week 12.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Practices in full Wednesday
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Jefferson (hamstring) practiced fully Wednesday.
Prior to getting activated from injured reserve last Tuesday, Jefferson was contained to limited sessions during the entirety of his 21-day practice window. With his ability to handle all activity to begin Week 14 prep, he appears to have put the hamstring issue that he sustained Week 5 behind him. Jefferson thus will put an end to a seven-game absence Sunday at Las Vegas, whose defense has allowed the seventh-highest catch rate (67.1 percent) to opposing wide receivers this season.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Off IR, should play after bye week
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The Vikings reinstated Jefferson (hamstring) from injured reserve Tuesday.
Jefferson was designated for return from IR on Nov. 8 after he missed the required four games due to a right hamstring strain, but he then proceeded to miss the Vikings' ensuing three contests. According to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, head coach Kevin O'Connell indicated that the star wideout was close to playing Monday, but with a bye on tap in Week 13, the Vikings ultimately erred on the side of caution. Since Jefferson's evaluation window was set to close Tuesday, the Vikings added him back to the 53-man roster with the expectation that he will be ready to play Dec. 10 against the Raiders. Assuming Jefferson is cleared for that contest, he'll be catching passes from someone other than Kirk Cousins (Achilles) for only the second game of his four-year career. Joshua Dobbs has started the Vikings' last three games but threw four interceptions in Monday's loss to the Bears, and O'Connell noted that he's taking the bye week to re-evaluate the quarterback situation. If Dobbs is removed from the starting role, veteran Nick Mullens or rookie Jaren Hall would be the candidates to step in as the new signal-caller.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Ruled out for Week 12
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Jefferson (hamstring) has been downgraded to out for Monday's game against the Bears.
Jefferson officially remains on injured reserve and will look to make his return Week 14 against the Raiders following Minnesota's Week 13 bye. The Vikings will likely lean on the trio of Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn and slot man Brandon Powell to serve as their main options at receiver versus Chicago.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Not to be activated vs. Bears
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The Vikings aren't expected to activate Jefferson (hamstring) from injured reserve for Monday's game against Chicago, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The Vikings will continue to take a cautious approach to the star wide receiver's recovery, with a bye week coming up after Monday's contest. Jefferson will wind up missing his seventh consecutive game, though the expectation is that he will resume practicing fully after the bye and be 100 percent healthy for a Week 14 road game in Las Vegas. Assuming Jefferson isn't activated from IR ahead of Monday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline to do so, Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn and T.J. Hockenson will be in line to work as quarterback Joshua Dobbs' top pass catchers this week.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Looking unlikely to play Monday
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Jefferson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Bears but is considered unlikely to be activated from injured reserve ahead of the Week 12 contest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Since being designated for return from IR on Nov. 8, Jefferson has been listed as a limited participant in the Vikings' ensuing nine practices. Jefferson's lack of progression in terms of practice activity doesn't seem to be the result of any unexpected setbacks, as the wideout said this week that he's been able to run full speed during portions of those workouts. Additionally, head coach Kevin O'Connell said Saturday that Jefferson "took part in some team reps." Even so, the Vikings look like they'll continue to take a cautious approach with Jefferson and hold him out for a seventh game in a row, with confirmation on his status expected to come by 4 p.m. ET on Monday, the deadline for Minnesota and Chicago to make transactions leading up to the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. The Vikings are on bye Week 13, but the team is expected to formally activate Jefferson from IR before his 21-day evaluation window closes this coming Wednesday, setting the stage for him to return to the lineup for the team's Week 14 matchup with the Raiders on Dec. 10.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Remains limited in practice
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Jefferson (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Friday and said he's not sure if he will play Monday against the Bears, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Jefferson said his recovery is going well and noted that he's been clocked at top speeds during practice, but he also reiterated that he and the team are on the same page about taking a cautious approach. He's been listed as limited for every practice since the Vikings designated him Nov. 8 to return from injured reserve -- a move that opened a three-week window to activate Jefferson to the roster. The window closes a few days after Minnesota's Week 12 contest, so any transaction returning Jefferson to the roster in the upcoming days would suggest he's expected to play Monday night.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Stays limited at practice
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Jefferson (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Jefferson continues to log capped sessions since the Vikings designated him for return from injured reserve last Wednesday. After coach Kevin O'Connell told Alec Lewis of The Athletic this Wednesday that Jefferson was slated to up his practice reps, the wide receiver himself said one day later that his main focus is increasing the endurance in his recovering right hamstring, per Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "Just making sure that after work, I'm not too sore and achy," Jefferson added. He also mentioned to Goessling that he's the "person who's gonna make the decision" regarding his return. Considering where he stands in the middle of Week 11 prep, Jefferson seems like a coin flip to be available Sunday at Denver, but the Vikings will have to activate him from IR on Saturday afternoon in order for him to have a chance to play this weekend.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Ramping up activity level Wednesday
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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Jefferson (hamstring) will "do a little bit more today" than he did last week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. "We'll see how he responds to that," O'Connell added. "A little bit more [Thursday]. We're in that day-to-day, ramping-him-up phase. We'll determine if it's possible at all to have him for this weekend."
After the Vikings designated him for return from injured reserve last Wednesday, Jefferson practiced in a limited fashion all week before the team deemed him questionable on its final Week 10 injury report. Ultimately, he wasn't activated by Saturday's deadline in order to have a chance to play this past Sunday against the Saints. This time around, Jefferson is increasing his on-field work to begin Week 11 prep, but it's unclear if he'll be able to make enough progress to be available for Sunday's game in Denver. Wednesday's practice report will reveal the extent of his activity.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Not cleared for Sunday
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Jefferson (hamstring) wasn't activated from injured reserve Saturday and won't be available for Sunday's game against the Saints, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell tipped his hand about Jefferson's status earlier this week, when he suggested it would be "a little aggressive" for the receiver to play Week 10 when first eligible to return from IR. Though Jefferson was able to practice in a limited fashion this week and had been listed as questionable heading into the weekend, he'll ultimately miss his fifth consecutive game. Jordan Addison and Brandon Powell will likely play prominent roles Sunday, especially if wideout K.J. Osborn (concussion) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs) are unable to suit up. Jefferson's next chance to play will come Week 11 against the Broncos on Nov. 19.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Status unclear for Week 10
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Head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that the Vikings are still determining whether to designate Jefferson (hamstring) for return from injured reserve this week, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
After missing the required four games while on IR, Jefferson is eligible to resume practicing this week, but the team hasn't been clear with its plans, and it seems as though he's still being evaluated by the medical staff. Whenever Jefferson is available, he would provide a boost for the Minnesota offense that no longer has Kirk Cousins (Achilles) at quarterback, but the star wideout also is entering the final year of his contract in 2024, which may prompt both player and team to exercise caution in any return with the aim of avoiding a setback. More information about Jefferson's status could be known Wednesday, when the Vikings hold their first Week 10 practice in advance of Sunday's game against the Saints.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that he doesn't believe Jefferson's hamstring injury to be a season-ending one, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
O'Connell didn't divulge the grade of Jefferson's right hamstring strain, but the injury is severe enough for him to miss at least the team's next four games while on injured reserve. While Jefferson is sidelined, Minnesota's passing attack may become more balanced between tight end T.J. Hockenson, wideouts K.J. Osborn and Jordan Addison and running back Alexander Mattison. However, Addison was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, potentially removing another key pass catcher from the mix if he's unable to overcome the issue ahead of Sunday's game in Chicago.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Placed on IR
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The Vikings placed Jefferson (hamstring) on injured reserve Wednesday, ruling him out for the next four games, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.
Minnesota signed receiver N'Keal Harry off the practice squad in a corresponding move, while the likely beneficiaries in terms of targets are Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell and tight end T.J. Hockenson. The Vikings seem to have hope that Jefferson will ready to play after missing the requisite four games, though it's also possible Minnesota's playoff hopes (or lack thereof) end up affecting the decision a month from now. His earliest possible return date is Nov. 12 against the Saints in Week 10.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Still being evaluated
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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Jefferson is still going through the evaluation process on the right hamstring strain he suffered in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Chiefs, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Jefferson went down early in the fourth quarter versus Kansas City and was unable to return, finishing the day with three catches for 28 scoreless yards on six targets. If Jefferson needs to miss time, Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn are going to have to step up into expanded roles at receiver, while tight end T.J. Hockenson would become the favorite to pace Minnesota in targets. The Vikings return to action Week 6 with a matchup Sunday against the Bears.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Catches two touchdowns
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Jefferson caught six of nine targets for 85 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 21-13 win over the Panthers.
Jefferson led Minnesota in all major receiving categories, helping the team clinch its first victory of the season. The star wideout first went uncovered for a four-yard touchdown during the second quarter, then made an impressive jump-ball reception for a 30-yard score to end the third. Although his streak of three 145-plus-yard games was snapped, Jefferson continued his spectacular start to the campaign with Sunday's pair of end-zone trips.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Another massive output Thursday
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Jefferson brought in 11 of 13 targets for 159 yards in the Vikings' 34-28 loss to the Eagles on Thursday night. He also lost a fumble.
Jefferson finished with game-high reception, receiving yardage and target totals by a wide margin, putting together his second massive stat line in a span of four days. The Pro Bowl wideout wasn't on the receiving end of any of Kirk Cousins' four touchdown passes, however, although his final catch of the night, a 20-yard grab with 1:41 remaining, did get the ball down to the Eagles' five-yard line to set up a T.J. Hockenson scoring grab. Jefferson already has a 20-309 line through two games and now gets some extra down time before a Week 3 home matchup against the Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 24.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Trademark numbers in Week 1 loss
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Jefferson secured nine of 12 targets for 150 yards in the Vikings' 20-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Jefferson's explosive numbers were thoroughly unsurprising, although the fact they came in a low-scoring loss was somewhat unexpected. The star wideout comfortably recorded game-high reception, receiving yardage and target totals, with the Buccaneers unable to find any answer for him. About the only blemishes on Jefferson's afternoon were the absence of a touchdown and the fact he was targeted just once over the Vikings' final two drives, which both stalled at three plays. Jefferson may be hard-pressed to replicate his season-opening performance Week 2, as Minnesota travels to face the Eagles on Thursday night.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Has fifth-year option picked up
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The Vikings exercised Jefferson's fifth-year option for 2024 on Tuesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.
This was a no-brainer for Minnesota, but it would be a shock if the two sides don't have a long-term contract worked out well before the start of the 2024 campaign. This is likely just a placeholder keeping Jefferson tied to the Vikings for at least the next two seasons. Since being taken 22nd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jefferson has 324 catches for 4,825 yards and 25 touchdowns and has yet to miss a game. Turning 24 in June, Jefferson is coming off Offensive Player of the Year honors last season.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Rested during second half
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Jefferson caught four of five targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 29-13 win over the Bears.
Jefferson's production came exclusively during the first half, as Minnesota opted to rest its offensive starters following halftime. The decision restricted Jefferson to his second straight game with under 40 receiving yards, a steep decline from his league-leading production. With the Vikings now slated to host a playoff game, however, Jefferson will strive to be back at his best the next time he takes the field.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: May not play full game
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Head coach Kevin O'Connell intimated Friday that Jefferson and other key starters on offense and defense may not play the entirety of the Vikings' Week 18 game in Chicago, Joe Nelson of SI.com reports. "We've got a pretty clear cut plan with how we want to go about the whole game, but we're going to go in with the expectation of our guys going and try to get off to a good start and play good football," O'Connell said.
Minnesota is assured no worse than the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs regardless of how this weekend's games transpire, but since the Vikings will need a win over the Bears plus a Cardinals win over the heavily-favored 49ers to climb to the No. 2 seed, O'Connell may not have much incentive to expose key players to an injury heading into the wild-card round. While Jefferson and all of the Vikings' other starting skill-position players look poised to play at least one series, the uncertainty of whether they'll play much beyond that makes it tough to reliably project any in Week 18 season-long or DFS lineups.
