he Minnesota Vikings have something special in wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and their decisions around his health reflect their awareness of his value.
Jefferson also values his health and playing future, which is why the ultra-competitive All-Pro has been okay with Minnesota keeping him sidelined beyond the initial 4-6 weeks doctors said his strained hamstring required to heal.
Some fans of the team, and of the NFL in general, haven’t been as patient.

According to a social media post from Jefferson on Tuesday, November 21, several of his followers have been blowing up his DMs pushing and pleading with him to return to the field as soon as possible.
But instead of “My health is wayyyy more important than you winning your fantasy games,” Jefferson posted to X.
“I don’t care how many messages flood my DMs saying they want to sell your team.
I don’t care 😂” He injured his hamstring during the second half.
Six weeks after Jefferson’s loss, the team played against the Denver Broncos last Sunday, but Jefferson did not play in that game.
Jefferson relented and seized the opportunity to fight back.

Jefferson could return on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears on November 27th.
However, the Vikings have a bye scheduled for next week, giving Jefferson more time to get back to health.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported head coach Kevin O’Connell’s thoughts on the matter on social media on Monday.
“Kevin O’Connell has labeled WR Justin Jefferson ‘questionable’ for next Monday’s game against the Bears,” Seifert wrote.
“He also acknowledged ‘we do have to be smart’ about bringing him back, knowing the Vikings have their bye the following week and could add a ‘free’ week to his 21-day window.
” Field Yates, Seifert’s colleague at ESPN, interpreted O’Connell’s comments to mean that Minnesota fans probably shouldn’t expect to see Jefferson until December 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
“It sure sounds like we might not see Justin Jefferson until Week 14,” Fields posted Monday.
Vikings Remain Heavy Favorites to Make Playoffs Kevin O’Connell and Josh Dobbs Getty Head coach Kevin O’Connell (left) and quarterback Josh Dobbs (right) of the Minnesota Vikings.
Up until last weekend, Minnesota’s motto for the 2023 season may as well have been, “No Jefferson.
No problem.
” The Vikings (6-5) won five straight games following Jefferson’s injury against the Chiefs, including the final two without quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is out for the year with a torn Achilles tendon.
Minnesota was on the verge of winning their sixth straight game against Denver, but three turnovers halted their winning streak and they lost 21-20.
Still, the Vikings have a favorable schedule going forward, especially when it comes to his next three opponents.
The Bears are 3-8, the Raiders are 5-6, and the Cincinnati Bengals are 5-5 and will be without QB Joe Burrow for the rest of the season.
ESPN’s Football Power Index projects Minnesota to finish the year at 9-8 despite Sunday night’s disappointing loss to the Broncos, and the Vikings have They currently have a 78% chance of making the playoffs.
Based on these projections, Minnesota has a 39% chance of making the postseason as her NFC’s No.
6 seed and a 20% chance of making the playoffs as the No.
7 seed.

ESPN also gives the Vikings a 6% chance of finishing fifth and a 7% chance of finishing third.
Whenever Jefferson eventually returns, that chance will probably increase.
Max Dible covers the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Golden State Warriors on Heavy.com.
He covered local and national news as a reporter for his West Hawaiian Today and served as his director of news for BigIslandNow.com and the Pacific Media Group family.
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