Justin Jefferson going on injured reserve means the 1-4 Vikings could be in the verge of spiraling out of control and landing among the teams who will pick in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jefferson will miss at least the next four games after landing on the IR, but ESPN’s Kevin Seifert described his hamstring injury as “significant” and suggested it could be longer before the Vikings’ star receiver returns.
Even with Jefferson in doubt for the short term, the attitude among the always hopeful Purple Nation was that the Vikings would stop fumbling and dropping passes and find a way to turn the season around. But without Jefferson, the idea of going on a run seems far less likely. You can’t take an MVP finalist off a team and expect a historic turnaround, which is what the Vikings need to climb from a 1-4 hole.
Minnesota plays at Chicago on Sunday against a Bears team that put up 41 points last Thursday. If Justin Fields has a repeat performance, the Vikings could fall to 1-5.
Undefeated San Francisco will be a daunting challenge on Monday, Oct. 23. That could easily become Minnesota’s fifth or sixth loss.
The Packers do not look good after Jordan Love was intercepted three times by the Raiders on Monday Night Football, but playing at Lambeau Field after facing the 49ers is still a tough task. Is that 2-6 or 1-7?
Then a trip to Atlanta awaits. By then, the hope for the Vikings could be crushed and winning in Atlanta will be difficult. If Jefferson misses more than four weeks, the Saints and Broncos await in weeks 10 and 11.
There is no bye week to alleviate the loss of Jefferson until Week 13, which comes after Thanksgiving. By then, the story may have evolved into one about which quarterback the Vikings can take with a top-five pick.
Meanwhile, the NFL trade deadline hits on Halloween. How many teams will be trick-or-treating for Kirk Cousins? Will the Falcons come knocking? They have a legit shot to win the NFC South. If the 49ers lose Brock Purdy to injury they will be a prime candidate to knock. The Jets?
Cousins would need to waive his no-trade clause, but wide receiver K.J. Osborn and edge rusher Danielle Hunter have no say in trade talks and with both on expiring contracts, they could be valuable players for true contenders.
Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson could use a dependable receiver like Osborn and there isn’t a team in the league who couldn’t use Hunter on the edge.
Everything sits in purple purgatory. Jefferson can no longer carry the load. It’s time for others to step up and revive the Vikings or the season will be a loss and Jefferson’s future with the team will be more in doubt than ever before.
