It’s only new because it’s the most recent report, but another one out Sunday evening shows Justin Jefferson has a minimal probability of returning to the Minnesota Vikings against the Chicago Bears on Monday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler write that “sources” indicate Jefferson is “unlikely” to play as the Vikings “exercise caution” with their star wide receiver.
Jefferson has missed the last six games due to a hamstring strain suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 8. Minnesota is 5-1 without Jefferson, and with the odds stacked in the Vikings’ favor Monday against the three-win Bears, keeping Jefferson out of action will allow him two more full weeks of relaxation because the Vikings do not play again until December 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
“It’s just something where we know we’ve got a lot of football left ahead,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Saturday. “We also know we have a bye week next week. If you ask any of his teammates, they’ll undoubtedly say he looks ready to play right now. That’s the tough part about an injury like this. He’s doing excellent work, preparing for when he’s ready to go, and we’re doing the same thing as a football team.
The Vikings have been building up Jefferson over the last few weeks, and they have until 3 p.m. Monday to make a final decision before Monday Night Football.
Also worth noting is that the Vikings are running out of time to activate Jefferson from injured reserve. They began his 21-day activation window on November 8, which means they have until Tuesday, November 28, to activate him, which they will almost certainly do unless there is a setback.
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