Vikings WR Justin Jefferson returning from hamstring injury vs Raiders

This news will delight Vikings fans and fantasy football managers alike. Justin Jefferson, finally, will see action.

According to Minnesota’s most recent injury report, Jefferson was a full participant in practice, Wednesday, as the Vikings prep for their road game against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It was the first time the talented receiver was able to do all required during a team workout since his injury on Oct. 8. Jefferson seemed on the verge of playing for weeks. But the Vikings are bringing back their all-star receiver very slowly, knowing that hamstring strains are so easy to aggravate. The team opened his 21-day practice window on Nov. 8. Then they activated him off injured reserve on Nov. 28, the last day possible to do so.

Until the team placed him on IR in early October, Jefferson had never missed a start. Minnesota selected the former LSU standout in the first round of the 2020 draft. In three years plus the five games he played this fall, Jefferson caught 360 passes for 5,396 yards and 28 touchdowns. Before his injury, which happened in a home Vikings game against the Chiefs, Jefferson had 36 receptions. At the time of his injury, Jefferson ranked sixth best in the NFL in receptions. His 571 yards were third in the league.

Justin Jefferson back this week 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/VyZMAnmM6F

— Minnesota Vikings News 💜 (@MinneSportsLC) December 7, 2023

You can imagine why fantasy team players want him back. In fact, Jefferson addressed these folks with a post on social media. “My health is wayyy more important than you winning your fantasy games,” Jefferson tweeted. “It doesn’t matter how many times y’all flood my dms talking about me selling your team. I DONT CARE.”

The Vikings have endured such a bizarre season, especially with their very poor start, losing four of their first five games. Then the team lost Jefferson for seven games. Quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles and is out for the season. The Vikings traded for Josh Dobbs to replace Cousins. And Minnesota, despite all the upheaval, is 6-6. The team currently would be seeded sixth in the seven-team NFC playoff bracket.

The Vikings managed to go 5-2 without Jefferson. However, Minnesota has lost its last two games. The Vikings were off last Sunday.

When Jefferson popped his hamstring, Cousins was his quarterback. Now it’s Dobbs, who is on his third team this season. He’s the starter for at least one more week. Dobbs has turned the ball over six times in the Vikings last two losses. But Dobbs and Jefferson, despite not playing together in games, still work with each other in practice.

Jefferson told reporters he likes the fact Dobbs is nimble on his feet.

“It’s an extra thing the defense has to be aware of,” Jefferson said. “So, not only do you have to worry about our receivers and tight end and backs, but you also have to worry about a quarterback that’s running and able to be mobile. It’s a lot of weapons on the field.”