One of many elite gamers within the NFL, Justin Jefferson, has been activated from injured reserve, paving the way in which for the All-Professional broad receiver’s return to motion following an prolonged layoff because of a hamstring harm.
Jefferson has missed the final seven Minnesota Vikings video games, and on Monday he watched his crew endure a two-point loss to their division rival Chicago Bears. The Vikings will take pleasure in a bye this week, giving Jefferson further time to work his approach again into the beginning lineup.
After the off week, the Vikings will journey to Las Vegas for a Dec. 10 matchup with the Raiders. Jefferson was named the AP NFL Offensive Participant of the 12 months in 2022 after he racked up greater than 1,800 receiving yards. He additionally acquired First-team All-Professional honors.
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Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up previous to a sport in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Photos)
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned Jefferson was near suiting up for Monday’s night time sport in opposition to the Bears, however the crew finally determined to focus on Week 14 for his return.
“Justin was near having an opportunity of going final night time, however the perfect factor for him and for our crew shifting ahead was to get by way of the bye and finally have him at 100% popping out of the bye as we tackle the Raiders on the street,” O’Connell mentioned.
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Jefferson returned to follow on Nov. 8 and mentioned final week he was reaching “prime speeds.” If Jefferson weren’t activated this week for some cause, he would have been ineligible to return this season.
Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings broad receiver Justin Jefferson (18) earlier than the sport in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. (Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Following a 2-4 begin, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins led Minnesota to a few consecutive wins earlier than he went down with a season-ending Achilles harm.
Rookie quarterback Jaren Corridor was named the starter for the crew’s Week 9 sport vs. the Falcons, however he suffered an harm through the sport. Journeyman Josh Dobbs, who was traded to the Vikings simply days earlier than the sport in Atlanta, was then compelled into motion. Regardless of having nearly no time to be taught the playbook or all of his teammates names, Dobbs led Minnesota to a formidable comeback to maintain the profitable streak alive.
Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up in opposition to the New York Giants at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Photos)
Dobbs had one other sturdy efficiency in Week 10 in a win over the New Orleans Saints. However, the honeymoon part with Dobbs has cooled over the previous couple of weeks because the crew has dropped the final two video games.
Dobbs threw a career-high 4 interceptions throughout Monday night time’s loss.
It’s now unclear who will throw Jefferson passes when he steps again on the soccer discipline for a sport. On Monday, O’Connell was non-committal on whether or not Dobbs would stay the crew’s starter going ahead.
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“We’re going to have a look, you realize actually consider the stock of performs now we now have of Josh,” O’Connell mentioned when requested if he would take into account a quarterback change.”
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Jefferson caught 39 passes for 571 yards and three touchdowns over 5 video games to this point this season.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
