Vikings had been in a position to sit on WR Justin Jefferson yet another time earlier than the bye

The Minnesota Vikings will proceed to speed up receiver Justin Jefferson’s restoration from an injured proper hamstring this week, coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned Monday, however the workforce may sideline him for subsequent Monday evening’s recreation towards the Chicago Bears to reap the benefits of the bye week. that follows.

“I believe that may positively play a job within the decision-making course of,” O’Connell mentioned. “We’re proper at that six-week level. He is actually attacked his rehab, and I believe when that point comes, we’ll really feel comfy with Justin being there. I do know Justin will too. It is a kind of issues.” issues understanding you could have goodbye, and understanding that 5 are important [games] to get previous that goodbye, we’ve got to be good.

“It is a participant which means loads to our group, each for this dwelling stretch to attempt to solidify our positioning within the playoffs and to nonetheless compete within the division as a lot as doable, however Justin means much more than simply these 5 or 6 matches, as essential as they’re. His long-term profession right here is the precedence.”

For the reason that harm occurred in Week 5, each O’Connell and Jefferson have mentioned he would not return till he is 100%. The Vikings opened his 21-day observe window on Nov. 8 as quickly as he turned eligible, however the timing of their farewell may depart him with a complete of eight weeks off if he does not return till their Dec. 10 recreation on the Las Vegas Raiders.

O’Connell mentioned the retirement “doesn’t imply he’s much less or extra prone to play” towards the Bears. However the eight-week timeline is clearly a horny choice.

Throughout his speech two weeks in the past, Jefferson emphasised that he wished to return as quickly as he thinks he’s prepared.

“I like the sport of soccer,” he mentioned. “I at all times say I wish to be a Corridor of Famer, so I am unable to simply miss video games only for enjoyable, or simply as a result of we’re not doing properly. I do know I play a giant position on this.” workforce and I do know that each probability I get to be on that discipline, I wish to benefit from these alternatives.”

The Vikings gained their first 5 video games after Jefferson’s harm earlier than shedding to the Denver Broncos on Sunday evening. They’re 6-5 and have a 79% probability of constructing the playoffs, in line with ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index.

In the meantime, the Vikings added defensive lineman Dean Lowry to injured reserve as a result of a torn pectoral muscle he suffered Sunday evening in Denver. Lowry, who signed a two-year contract in free company that may pay him $4.5 million in 2023, had 14 tackles in 9 video games this season, together with 4 begins. To fill his roster spot, the Vikings activated offensive lineman Chris Reed from the reserve/non-football harm checklist.