Vikings’s Justin Jefferson’s expected injury return revealed, but there’s a problem

Justin Jefferson is getting closer to returning to action for the Vikings.
However, his desire to extend his contract could be hindered.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has not played since a Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at home due to a hamstring injury.
However, it seems like he’s ready to return.
It’s just unlikely this will happen in Week 10, when the Vikings face the New Orleans Saints.

And it’s also possible he continues to miss further games if he feels he’s not 100% yet, with another important factor in the equation – especially regarding his future with the Vikings , according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
“Vikings superstar WR Justin Jefferson is expected to return to action by the bye week, if not sooner, according to multiple sources.
However, without a contract extension, some around the league thought he was crazy to play.
So why did he do it?

While it’s a good sign for the Vikings that Justin Jefferson is back in practice as far as when he steps foot on the field, this is the one time he’ll finally make a difference again against action.
Minnesota’s offense as well as finding a way to survive despite his absence — not to mention Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury.
Minnesota is 4-0 since Jefferson’s injury and is 5-4 overall in the 2023 campaign.
Jefferson has one year remaining on his current contract, which will pay him 19.
7 million dollars in the 2024 NFL season.
So far in the 2023 NFL season, Jefferson, drafted by the Vikings in the first round (22nd overall) in 2020, has 571 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in 36 receptions.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Vikings host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in a game you can watch on FOX 9, and they will not have Justin Jefferson available.

According to an NFL Network report, the Vikings will not activate Jefferson from injured reserve. The Vikings on Saturday declared him out for the game.

The star receiver has missed the last four games after going on IR with a hamstring injury suffered in the fourth quarter of the Vikings’ Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Vikings designated Jefferson to return to practice on Wednesday, giving him up to 21 days to get back on the field. He was limited all week in practice.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday “It would probably be a little aggressive” to think Jefferson could be activated to play Sunday against the Saints. The original timeline on the injury was four to six weeks. The team listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game.

The Vikings travel to Denver for Sunday Night Football Week 11, and the logical option would be to bring Jefferson back against the Chicago Bears for Week 12 on Monday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium.

In five games, Jefferson has 36 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings have managed to go 4-0 without him, and have won five of their last six games after an 0-3 start to get back into the NFC Playoff picture.