Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is eligible to be activated from injured reserve this week as he recovers from a hamstring injury. But according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it’s not certain he will return to the field when the Vikings host the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.
Schefter reported Saturday night that Jefferson’s injury was initially set to sideline him 4-6 weeks but he has yet to meet with doctors to evaluate the injury. Schefter added that the Vikings have to decide “how they want to handle Jefferson’s injury and that there is “uncertainty” about his status.
There are some ominous phrases in the report but it also reiterates some facts that came out when Jefferson was injured in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 8. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Oct. 10 that Jefferson’s timetable was going to be based on his recovery from the injury and he was slated to meet with doctors after four weeks.
But a lot has also changed for the Vikings since Jefferson suffered his injury. The Vikings won three straight games to climb to .500 before Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in last week’s win over the Packers.
If Jefferson isn’t quite ready to go, the Vikings could err on the side of caution, but if the Vikings defeat the Falcons they may want to get him back on the field to complete their playoff push.
Regardless of Jefferson returning next week or not, the Vikings can open Jefferson’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve if they think he’ll be ready to return within three weeks.
Keep in mind that head coach Kevin O’Connell was on with Pat McAfee this past week and said Jefferson should “hopefully return soon.”
"Josh Dobbs became available at the right time for us..
The table has been set by Kirk Cousins and the formula for our offense is there"@KevOC7 #PMSLive #SKOL pic.twitter.com/8ykDJ0HYwn
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 2, 2023
