The Vikings head into Week 5 with one of their biggest weapons ready to roll and two others stuck on the sideline.
Justin Jefferson is set to return against the New Orleans Saints after missing Week 4 with an ankle injury, while Jordan Addison will be inactive because of a hamstring issue, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Odell Beckham Jr., who was signed after his release from the New York Giants, is also inactive.
That makes Jefferson’s comeback the biggest lineup note for Minnesota as it tries to stay unbeaten on the road. The Vikings are 4-0, built on the strength of an elite defense, but the offense has had its share of hiccups, especially with injuries piling up at wide receiver.
Jefferson still has not played a full game with Kyler Murray. Murray got hurt in Week 1, missed Week 2, then Jefferson went down with his ankle injury during the Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and sat out last week. Getting Jefferson back gives the Vikings a real chance to stress a Saints defense that has been very gettable so far this season.
The absence of Addison is a setback, though not an unexpected one. Beckham’s status is no shock either, given how recently he joined the team.
With those two unavailable, Jauan Jennings should see plenty of targets when the ball isn’t going Jefferson’s way. Tight end T.J. Hockenson, coming off a big game last week, figures to be heavily involved again as well.
Minnesota’s offense could use the lift. The Vikings have had a couple of sleepy outings, including a Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins in which they didn’t score a single touchdown. O'Connell and company are hoping Jefferson’s return sparks some explosive plays and helps get Murray moving, giving this offense some much-needed momentum.
In Other News...
Vikings Defense Is Starting To Look Like Every Offenses Nightmare
Minnesotas defense spent Sunday looking like the kind of unit opposing offenses would rather avoid altogether. In a 23-13 win over the Saints, Byron Murphy Jr. turned in a strong night in the secondary, while linebacker Blake Cashman and the rest of the group helped keep New Orleans out of rhythm and fed a Vikings team that went into its bye week without a loss.
What made it stand out was how little the Saints were able to build, even with a young quarterback trying to settle in. Tyler Shough never found much room to operate, and Minnesotas coverage and pursuit kept the pressure on from start to finish. Murphys two interceptions were the headline, but the bigger story for the Vikings is that this defense is starting to look consistent enough to carry real weight as the season moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Stay Unbeaten As Their Defense Sends A Clear Message
The Vikings kept their unbeaten start alive Sunday with a 23-13 win over the Saints, and once again the story was about a defense that keeps making life miserable for opponents. Minnesotas offense did enough to stay in control, but the tone of the game was set by a unit that never let New Orleans find much rhythm and helped push the Vikings to 5-0 heading into their Week 6 bye.
Aaron Jones gave Minnesota an important fourth-quarter cushion with an 8-yard touchdown run, and Will Reichard later added a 55-yard field goal to help close it out. For a team that keeps stacking wins while waiting for its next test, the bigger message is getting harder to miss: the Vikings are not just surviving the early season, theyre dictating how games are played. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Jefferson Just Lost A Record To A Vikings Rival
Justin Jefferson has long been the benchmark for early-career production at wide receiver, but one of his records has now been overtaken by a familiar NFC North rival. Amon-Ra St. Brown has kept piling up catches since entering the league in 2021, and his steady output has put him in position to pass a mark that once belonged to Jefferson.
The new standard arrived during the Lions Week 5 game and was later confirmed by Detroits public relations account, underscoring just how consistent St. Brown has been from the start. For the Vikings, it is another reminder that the divisions top pass catchers are still trading blows, and Jeffersons place atop that list no longer looks quite as secure. [Read more 🡒]