The Vikings enter Week 10 hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive but, unfortunately for the club, their quest for a sixth win will reportedly not feature the long-awaited return of injured star receiver Justin Jefferson.
Minnesota (5–4) officially downgraded Jefferson, who’s missed the last four games with a hamstring injury, from questionable to out on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Saints, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The update follows a promising week for Jefferson after the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year re-joined his team for practice. The 24-year-old managed to log three limited sessions but will apparently need extra time before being cleared for action.
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Although Jefferson’s status appeared optimistic, the likelihood of him taking the field still seemed murky heading into the weekend. On Thursday, Jefferson strongly indicated he was still working his way back after sharing in his first press conference since the injury that he would not play until he was 100%.
“The guys and the coaching staff in this building know my worth on the field and they want me 100 percent, as I do as well,” he said. “I don’t want to go out there 80, 90% and have the chance of hurting it again. I don’t want to have any doubts in my mind that it’s going to come back or continue to linger throughout the season. When that time comes, I’ll definitely be ready to step on the field.”
With Week 10 now off the table, it remains to be seen if Jefferson will be ready in time for the Vikings’ Week 11 tilt against the Broncos. If so, he will look to continue his latest strong season (571 receiving yards, three touchdowns) in a new-look offense led by Joshua Dobbs in place of the injured Kirk Cousins.
