Last season, the Minnesota Vikings had the second-best record in the NFL at 13-4, but this season has been a bit of a struggle for them.
They lost four of their first five games, and even though they started to find themselves afterward by winning four straight contests, they lost starting quarterback Kirk Cousins for the season due to a torn Achilles.
Minnesota has also been without star wide receiver Justin Jefferson lately, as he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Luckily for them, his practice window has been opened, which means he can return to game action relatively soon, per Ian Rapoport.
The practice window for #Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson is being opened this week, sources say, as he now has 21 days to be activated. This does not mean he’ll play this week. But he’s on his way back from the hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve. pic.twitter.com/4aeQ4xH2QT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2023
Fans are happy he’s on his way back, and they feel the 5-4 Vikings may be ready to make a run at another playoff berth.
Went 4-0 while Jefferson was on IR now the real season starts🔥
— Santo (@santo_nunnari) November 8, 2023
These two fans apparently have Jefferson on their fantasy football squads.
My fantasy season is saved🙏
— Dylan🔮🎃 (@dillybar2145) November 8, 2023
please come back after this week 🙏 my fantasy team and actual team both play him
— Jacob ⚜️🤘 (@_HouDat) November 8, 2023
This fan is preaching patience when it comes to Jefferson’s return.
Come back whenever you’re comfortable, @JJettas2 #SKOL 🍻
— Crypto Vet (@cryptovet69) November 8, 2023
Jefferson is arguably the best wideout in football, and when he suffered his injury, he was dominating — he put up 571 yards and three touchdowns in five games this year before he went down.
In his absence, rookie wideout Jordan Addison has stepped up, and he looked especially promising in Week 7 when he put up 123 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches in a win over the San Francisco 49ers.
The Vikings’ next three games may be winnable, especially if Jefferson is able to play, as they will face the New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears before their bye in Week 13.
