Justin Jefferson to Miss Sunday Night’s Game Against the Denver Broncos
The Minnesota Vikings have announced that star wide receiver Justin Jefferson will not be making his return to the field for Sunday night’s game against the Denver Broncos.
Jefferson has been sidelined since October 8th due to a hamstring injury and remains on injured reserve. His next opportunity to play will be on Monday, November 27th, when the Vikings face the Chicago Bears. With the team’s bye week in Week 13, there is a possibility that they will exercise caution and give Jefferson additional time to recover.
“The hamstring is a difficult injury just because it lingers and it comes back from time to time if you don’t put the right treatment into it,” Jefferson explained last week.
Ultimately, the decision on Jefferson’s readiness to return will be made by the player himself.
“I’m the main person that’s going to make the decision,” Jefferson stated on Thursday. “I’m the one out there running, putting my body on the line to win games for this organization. I know how I feel, I know how my hamstring’s feeling. We’ll consider all opinions, but at the end of the day, I’m the one going out there.”
The Vikings have experienced a resurgence, winning five consecutive games after starting the season with a 1-4 record. However, one significant change since Jefferson’s absence is the quarterback situation. Kirk Cousins is out for the season with a torn Achilles, and the team has acquired Josh Dobbs, who has impressed with 426 passing yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in two victorious starts.
Looking ahead, the Vikings have a favorable schedule in the coming weeks, facing the Broncos, Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, and the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals after their bye week. The NFC North title race may come down to the final weeks of the season, where the Vikings will meet the Detroit Lions in Weeks 16 and 18, hopefully with a healthy Jefferson back on the field.