Justin Jefferson’s status is still the main storyline for the Vikings as they get ready for their Week 5 trip to New Orleans.
Minnesota left its star receiver out of last Sunday’s 15-10 win over the Miami Dolphins after he hurt his left ankle the week before against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jefferson caught a 10-yard pass early in that game before leaving, and the injury kept him sidelined for the Dolphins matchup. Through three games this season, he has 13 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
The good news for the Vikings is that Jefferson is moving in the right direction. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday that the receiver will take part in practice on a limited basis as the team begins preparing for Sunday’s game, according to Will Ragatz of Bring Me The News.
That doesn’t lock Jefferson into the lineup just yet. It does, however, give Minnesota a chance to see how the ankle responds before making a call on his availability. O’Connell said Tuesday that Jefferson had already gotten much of the initial soreness out of the ankle and that the team would gauge what he can handle during the week.
The timing matters here, too. The Vikings have a bye week right after facing the Saints, so they’re clearly being careful with their top pass catcher.
Minnesota is also managing another starter on the offensive line. Right tackle Brian O’Neill will practice in a limited capacity Wednesday as he deals with a knee injury. O’Neill has started all four games for the Vikings this season and has been a steady presence up front since joining the team in 2018.
On the injury report, Christian Darrisaw (concussion) and Jordan Addison (hamstring) will not practice.
The Vikings come into the game at 4-0, while the Saints are 1-3. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on Fox.
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The timing matters even more because Minnesota has struggled badly through the air, sitting last in passing yards. Beckham also lands in a receiver room with a familiar face in Justin Jefferson, giving the Vikings another established target as they try to stabilize an offense that has not yet found its rhythm. Whether the addition can lift the passing game quickly is the question now hanging over a team that has kept winning anyway. [Read more 🡒]