Justin Jefferson Will Not Return for Week 11
Josh Frey
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The Vikings entered Week 11 dealing with a number of injury questions ahead of their matchup against the Denver Broncos.
One of those questions revolved around the potential return of star WR Justin Jefferson, but on Saturday afternoon, the team revealed that he is not quite ready to get back onto the field yet. Minnesota will not activate Jefferson, but they did make a couple other roster moves prior to Sunday’s game.
Justin Jefferson Will Not Return for Week 11
The Vikings announced these roster decisions via social media, tweeting, “QB Nick Mullens has been activated to 53-man roster. LB Anthony Barr and CB Joejuan Williams have been elevated to the active roster for tomorrow night’s game. WR Justin Jefferson and G Chris Reed have been downgraded to OUT.”
Jefferson has been on IR with a hamstring injury since the conclusion of Minnesota’s Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Following the star’s departure, though, the Vikings have rattled off five consecutive wins and have done a great job of getting other playmakers involved in Jefferson’s place.
Now, the next potential date for Jefferson’s return is moved to Week 12 when the Vikings take on the Chicago Bears in another primetime game on Monday, November 27th inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
In more positive news, the Vikings have indeed activated Nick Mullens from IR, giving them some extra depth at the QB position. Minnesota had to go into Week 10 with only Joshua Dobbs and Sean Mannion as options, but now, Mullens gives them a full set of three QBs for this weekend’s game in case something disastrous were to happen.
Anthony Barr is also in line to make his first Vikings appearance since signing with the team earlier this week. Jordan Hicks was the latest Viking to head to IR, so Minnesota needed extra linebacker depth. They found it in the former Vikings star.
Barr was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by Minnesota, and being the ninth overall pick, he is the most recent top-10 selection that the Vikings have had. Throughout his eight years in Minnesota, Barr was named to the Pro Bowl four times and recorded 495 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions.
For other injured Vikings such as Alexander Mattison, Minnesota will release their official inactive list tomorrow in the hours leading up to their game against the Broncos.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 Central tomorrow night.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.