Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson missed the past six games with a hamstring injury and has consistently said he wouldn’t return at 80 or 90 percent.
The star wide receiver reaffirmed on social media Tuesday that he will not return until he is physically prepared, regardless of the pressure.
The importance of my health greatly surpasses your fantasy games’ victories. Regardless of the number of direct messages you send me regarding selling your team, I simply do not care.
— JJETS✈️ (@JJettas2) November 21, 2023
Jefferson’s comments come a day after Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the wideout is likely questionable heading into Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears.
“The coach said, “He had an exceptional week last week. This week, we’ll have an additional day. Currently, I consider his status for the football game against the Bears as questionable.”
The 21-day window for Jefferson to return from injured reserve was opened by the Vikings on Nov. 8, but he has not played in the last two games. With a bye coming in Week 13, Minnesota could potentially keep the All-Pro out of an additional game.
“Throughout this entire process, we’ve been motivated by a sense of urgency, but also by the intention to act wisely and ensure he feels as good as possible before returning to the field,” O’Connell explained. “We know he needs to be at 100 percent. With a bye coming up and five crucial games following it, we need to be prudent. This player is incredibly valuable to our organization.”
Minnesota saw its five-game winning streak sans the receiver snapped in Sunday night’s loss to the Denver Broncos. The 6-5 Vikings still hold the No. 7 seed in the NFC over a host of 4-6 clubs.
Jefferson may be back this week, but comments made on Tuesday emphasize that he won’t be playing unless he is completely healthy.
