NOVEMBER 27: Jefferson will not play tonight, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets. Minnesota will elect to play it safe in this case with the bye week looming after the team’s upcoming contest against the Bears. Pelissero adds that Jefferson is expected to be 100% healthy by the time the Vikings next take the field.
NOVEMBER 25: Jefferson was limited in practice on Saturday, leading to a questionable designation. Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed the team will continue to evaluate his status all the way up to their primetime matchup, meaning a firm decision has still not been made (video link). Minnesota has until Monday afternoon to activate Jefferson, otherwise his return will be delayed at least one more game.
NOVEMBER 24: A hamstring injury has forced Justin Jefferson to miss game action for the first time in his career. The Vikings All-Pro continues to make progress in his recovery, however, and he could see the field as early as Week 12. 
Jefferson was placed on IR in October to avoid the risk of a rushed return to the lineup. That move guaranteed at least four-week absence, though, and that timeline has since been extended. Despite having his practice window opened more than two weeks ago, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year has not yet been activated, something which needs to take place before Minnesota’s upcoming Monday night game against the Bears for him to be eligible to play.
That move could be coming in the very near future, however. Jefferson noted (via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert) that he has reached full speed during practice, meaning he could be in line to suit up for Week 12. A firm decision has yet to be made on that front, but his return would obviously give the Vikings’ offense a major boost. Minnesota reeled off five straight wins in his absence before losing in Week 11, but Jefferson would give new starting quarterback Josh Dobbs the team’s top pass-catcher as an option offense to help their postseason push.
“I’m not sure,” Jefferson said when producing an update on his current status. “We’ll see. We still have more days to practice and really evaluate everything. We’re going to weigh the options correctly, making sure that I’m feeling well and prepared to play a game, and if I’m feeling good I will play.”
Of course, Jefferson’s contract status as loomed over his recovery period. The 24-year-old – who began his career with the most productive three-year receiving stretch in NFL history – is on the books through 2024, when he will play on his fifth-year option. Talks on what will no doubt be a massive extension took place this summer, but they did not produce an agreement. Negotiations will not resume until the offseason, leading to speculation Jefferson would avoid a return to action without a new contract in hand. He offered a stark rebuttal on that point when asked about it.
“I know my position. I know what I’m doing,” he said (via Seifert). “And I know it’s not for the contract. It’s not for the contract at all.”
In any case, Jefferson’s status will be worth watching closely over the weekend as he continues to work toward a return. Bringing him back into the lineup will use up one of the five IR activations the Vikings still have at this point in the season.
I doubt Jefferson is any rush to get a new contract until there is some clarity on what the Vikings plan is regarding Cousins.
Which is why he’s sitting. Good for him. Vikes BS’ed Diggs and now JJ. Let the franchise lose.
I doubt he cares who the QB is so long as he gets his money.
and thats not a sleight, it’s just reality
I imagine there are a few teams that would be willing to match or exceed any financial offer the Vikings would present to Jefferson. If Cousins isn’t going to be in the picture then Minnesota will most likely be embarking on a rebuild to some degree. Would Justin want to spend his prime years waiting through a rebuild? Would the Vikings want to pass up tons of draft capital for a rebuild by keeping Jefferson? Lot of moving parts here so we will just have so see how these scenarios play out.
As a Bears fan, would you be fine with JJ & Minny’s 1st, 20 something, for the 1st overall pick? Or do you get a new QB?
Nope. Harrison could be just as good and they would guaranteed have him for 5 years vs 1 year of jefferson.
he wasn’t even good enough to beat Michigan
Huh? He looked good in the game.
@ arty / I can’t imagine the Vikings ever trading JJ to a division rival. Until the Bears have an OL, there’s no point in drafting a new QB savior every 3 years. I’m hoping the Bears have the good sense to hire Chris Ballard as GM if he gets thrown under the bus by Irsay.
Minny and Detroit did business last year. But I know what your saying, it’s rare.
trade is certainly possible.
but players of Jeffersons stature generally don’t want to play on a 1 year deal 5th year rookie option and are looking for longterm security.
even if he gets traded, QB is still lower on priority than getting the deal he wants.
as seen with Tyreek Hill traded to Miami from HOF Mahomes to draft bust Tua, who now magically is decent because he can hit Tyreek on a 8 yard slant and pick up an 80 yrd TD
This Tua summary is criminally underrated