Justin Jefferson’s Week 5 status is still up in the air, and the Vikings are calling him questionable for Sunday’s game against the Saints because of an ankle injury.
Minnesota has both of its top wideouts listed that way. Jordan Addison is also questionable with a hamstring issue, leaving the Vikings unsure what their receiver room will look like when they take on New Orleans.
Jefferson said earlier in the week that he expects to play, but nothing official has come down to confirm he’ll be active. He sat out Week 4 after hurting the ankle early in Minnesota’s Week 3 win.
So far this season, Jefferson has 13 catches on 17 targets for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Most of that damage came in Week 1, when Carson Wentz handled a large portion of the game for the injured Kyler Murray.
“The plan is definitely to play Sunday, but who knows?”
That was Jefferson’s message on his Week 5 outlook, and the Vikings’ moves since then at least leave the door open that one or both receivers may be less than full strength. Minnesota elevated Odell Beckham Jr. and Jeshaun Jones from the practice squad, a move that could hint at concern surrounding Jefferson or Addison.
If Jefferson does suit up, there’s still a betting angle to consider. He can be in play in the prop market, but the outlook isn’t exactly clean.
Minnesota’s passing game has struggled badly through four weeks. The Vikings rank last in the NFL in passing yards with 624 and sit 23rd in EPA/Pass. That’s a rough environment for any receiver, even one as talented as Jefferson.
That’s why the numbers point to caution on his reception total. He had eight catches in Week 1, but much of that production came with Wentz under center. Since then, he has only five catches total, and he has seen very little of Kyler Murray after Murray missed Week 2 with a concussion.
Even if Jefferson is active Sunday, there’s a real chance he’s limited. That makes him a shaky prop option, and the lean here is to take the UNDER until Minnesota shows it can move the ball more consistently with Murray at quarterback.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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