Vikings designate WR Justin Jefferson to return from injured reserve

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson returned to practice Wednesday as Minnesota opened a 21-day window for his return to play.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network first reported the move, quoting unnamed sources. However, the Vikings then made it official, confirming that their star wideout was back on the practice fields for the first time since he strained his hamstring in week five against the Chiefs.

The practice window for #Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson is being opened this week, sources say, as he now has 21 days to be activated. This does not mean he’ll play this week. But he’s on his way back from the hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve. pic.twitter.com/4aeQ4xH2QT

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2023

The Vikings then officially confirmed the move.

The Vikings play host to the Saints this Sunday. However, don’t expect Justin Jefferson to see action in that game.

In a bizarre twist, Minnesota has won four games in a row after losing Jefferson, possibly the best receiver in the league. Plus, the Vikings lost quarterback Kirk Cousins for the season when he tore his Achilles against the Packers. Minnesota traded for Josh Dobbs on Halloween. With no work with the offense, Dobbs led the Vikings to a win over the Falcons last Sunday.

Vikings coach hinted at Justin Jefferson’s return earlier this week

A month ago, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he needed to medically protect his superstar receiver. O’Connell said Jefferson was such a competitor, he might try to play through the hamstring injury.

Earlier this week, O’Connell told reporters:

“Justin has done a phenomenal job in his rehab. He’s still been a part of meetings. He’s mentally in it. We’re going to do what’s best for Justin and make sure we’re doing everything responsibly to make sure that when Justin does return, he can be the Justin Jefferson we all know and expect to see out there, and I just credit him for how he’s worked through it and through this whole process.”

Obviously, Jefferson is nearing 100 percent. What’s so tough about hamstrings is until it’s completely healed, a player can easily reinjure it. That’s why medical personnel err on the side of caution.

Until the team placed him on IR, Justin Jefferson had never missed a start. The Vikings selected the former LSU superstar in the first round of the 2020 draft. In three years plus the five games he played this fall, Jefferson has caught 360 passes for 5,396 yards and 28 touchdowns. At the time of his injury, his 36 receptions were tied for sixth best in the NFL. And his 571 yards ranked third in the league.