Justin Jefferson to undergo testing in 4 weeks, sources say،
Doctors believe Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury will sideline the Minnesota Vikings star for four to six weeks, and the All-Pro wide receiver will undergo imaging tests in four weeks to help determine when he may return, sources told ESPN.
The Vikings placed Jefferson on injured reserve last week, forcing the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year to miss at least four weeks.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters last week that he doesn’t expect Jefferson to miss the rest of the season, but Minnesota needs help in the standings to ensure of his return.
The Vikings (1-4) visit the Chicago Bears (1-4) on Sunday before the following six-game stretch leading into their Week 13 bye: home vs. San Francisco, at Green Bay, at Atlanta, home vs. New Orleans. , in Denver and a home rematch against Chicago.
If the Vikings fail to remain competitive, Jefferson should consider the fact that he and the organization did not come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension before this season. The deal likely would have made Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback offensive player in NFL history, and his price is not expected to drop.
As competitive as Jefferson is and as much as he would like to be there for his team, he will have to ask himself if a return this season is worth the risk of long-term injury should the Vikings fall out of playoff contention.
For now, Minnesota is hoping that Jefferson can recover as quickly as possible and that the two-time Pro Bowler doesn’t have a more serious hamstring injury.
“With the hamstring, I don’t want to speculate on the exact date,” O’Connell said last week. “But I know he feels pretty good considering how some guys feel at this point in the process, having been [injured] just last Sunday.
It’s just going to be about whatever it takes to go through the process until he can have some time to start to feel like he can be at full speed again, as explosive as he is is, and that will be a process that he will work through. and hopefully we can open that window and see where he is.”
Receivers N’Keal Harry and Trishton Jackson were elevated to Minnesota’s practice squad and will provide depth Sunday behind expected starters KJ Osborn and rookie Jordan Addison.
Jefferson, 24, had 36 receptions for 571 yards and three touchdowns in Minnesota’s first five games this season. He is third in the league in receiving yards and fourth in targets (53).
