On November 21, 2023, it was revealed that Justin Jefferson has no plans to return to the Minnesota Vikings until he is fully recovered from his right hamstring injury. Despite requests from fantasy football managers for him to play, Jefferson emphasized that his health is more important than the outcome of fantasy games and that he will not be swayed by messages from fans asking him to return.
The star wide receiver has been on the injured reserve list since Week 5 and both he and Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell have stated that he will not return until he is completely recovered. O’Connell noted that the team was ramping up Jefferson’s recovery and suggested that he might not play in the upcoming Monday night game against the Chicago Bears in order to take advantage of the bye week that follows. This would give Jefferson a total of eight weeks off if he does not return until the December 10 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
O’Connell stressed the importance of being smart and prioritizing Jefferson’s long-term career, stating that the player means a great deal to the organization beyond just a few games. Kevin Seifert of ESPN contributed to this report.