Justin Jefferson will reportedly be inactive for Monday night’s Vikings game against the Bears, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling.
The star receiver has missed the previous six games with a hamstring injury, though Pelissero says Jefferson is “very close” to returning “but the team will play it safe and not activate him for tonight’s game vs. Chicago.”
“Jefferson is expected to be 100% after the bye, practice fully and play Dec. 10 at Las Vegas,” Pelissero added.
Minnesota opened Jefferson’s 21-day practice window on Nov. 8 after four weeks on injured reserve. The team has until Wednesday to activate him or they have to shut him down for the season.
#Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson is “very close” to returning from his hamstring injury, per source, but the team will play it safe and not activate him for tonight’s game vs. Chicago.
Jefferson is expected to be 100% after the bye, practice fully and play Dec. 10 at Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/45nO9qHY6d
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 27, 2023
With the Vikings having a bye after Monday night’s game against the Bears, it’s likely Jefferson returns for the team’s trip to Las Vegas on Dec. 10, giving him another two weeks to return to full health ahead of the final five games of the regular season.
Jefferson was among the league leaders in receiving yards when he was injured in the Vikings Week 5 loss to the Chiefs. In Jefferson’s absence the Vikings have gone 5-1 with a pair of wins with Josh Dobbs taking over at quarterback for an injured Kirk Cousins.
Despite Jefferson’s absence the Vikings still have the sixth-most passing yards in the league.
