Kevin O’Connell isn’t ruling out Justin Jefferson’s return next Monday night against the Bears.
Speaking Monday after the team’s 21-20 loss to the Broncos, O’Connell said he views the star receiver as “questionable” for the Week 12 clash against Chicago.
Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury back in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. After a four week stint on injured reserve the Vikings opened Jefferson’s 21-day practice window on Nov. 8. Minnesota now has just nine days left to activate Jefferson to the active roster or they will have to shut him down for the remainder of the season.
“[Jefferson] had a really good week last week,” said O’Connell when asked Monday about Jefferson’s progress and the plan for him this week. “We’ll continue to push him more.”
O’Connell repeated his insistence that they’re thinking long-term as well with Jefferson’s rehab and return, not wanting to risk long-term success for short-term gains.
With the team’s bye week following the Week 12 Monday night game there is the possibility that Minnesota holds Jefferson out another week to give the receiver another ‘free’ week of recovery.
“That will definitely go into the decision-making process,” O’Connell said on the possibility of holding Jefferson out through the bye week. “It’s one of those things, knowing you have the bye and have five critical opportunities after the bye we do have to be smart.”
