NFL Rumors: Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson Expected to Miss Week 12

The Minnesota Vikings will be without their superstar pass catcher for at least one more week. According to the Athletic's Dianna Russini, three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson will sit for a seventh straight game as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

Justin Jefferson -

Right hamstring is the concern.
Was an awkward slip/twist so hopefully there’s no involvement with his knee.

Hopefully mild and doesn’t cost him much time.

(sorry, best video I could snag at the moment) pic.twitter.com/ojxcsyVuKy
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) October 8, 2023

Jefferson has been unavailable since injuring his hamstring in the Vikings' Week 5 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He had been his typically dominant self through the early portion of the season, averaging 114.2 receiving yards per game through his first five starts.

After opening the season 1-4, the Vikings have miraculously turned their season around despite Jefferson's absence and the recent loss of starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. They currently sit at 6-5 and are well positioned to earn a Wildcard spot.

With a bye coming up in Week 13, the Vikings are wise to take the long view with Jefferson. Though this sort of cautiousness is surprising given the Vikings are in the playoff hunt, Jefferson is such a young and superlative talent that his long-term future has to be the priority. Still only 24 years old, Jefferson is now eligible for his first extension since being drafted 22nd overall in 2020. He's certain to earn a record-breaking contract, and it behooves Jefferson and the Vikings to protect that investment.

When Jefferson eventually returns, he should help reveal the ceiling of this Vikings team under new starting quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The Vikings have exceeded expectations since turning to Dobbs, winning two of three games while improving in points per game (21.9 to 26.0) and giveaways per game (1.88 to 1.67). If Jefferson propels the offense to another level, the Vikings could very well make some noise this postseason.