The 2023 NFL season almost turned out to be a disappointing one for the Minnesota Vikings after they started out 1-4.
The Vikings looked like they were going to finish toward the bottom of the standings, but they’ve turned things around thanks to a five-game win streak that could very well extend to six games when they take on the Denver Broncos in Week 11.
The winning streak is impressive on its own, but it’s even more astounding given the fact that the team has been without superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs and was placed on injured reserve.
There were murmurs that Jefferson could be shut down for the rest of the regular season, but with the team well on pace for a playoff berth, he should be returning to the field soon.
Jefferson practiced in limited fashion this past week, but was surprisingly not activated off of IR and fans reacted to the announcement via Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Vikings’ WR Justin Jefferson is not being activated off the injured reserve list today, per sources, and he will be ineligible to play Sunday night vs. the Broncos. His next chance to play will come next Monday night vs. the Chicago Bears, but keep in mind, the Vikings have a bye… pic.twitter.com/R4WFlsgiSt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 18, 2023
Big loss but the Vikings have been playing well without him
— Sports hub (@sports_hub_1) November 18, 2023
Hopefully next time 💪
— Consultant Konnect Svcs (@ConsultantKct) November 18, 2023
I just pray he gets better.
— C. J. (@pioneerjoshua8) November 18, 2023
He’s not risking anything without that extension
— Nelson (@BelgerNelson) November 18, 2023
Wow
Wow
Wow
Wow🤍— Anointing Aha (@AnointingAha) November 18, 2023
He doesn’t want to only football. He just wants his new contract first.
— Steve (@somatg3) November 18, 2023
The fans seem to be taking the news fairly well, although there is plenty of disappointment about not seeing Jefferson suit up this week.
There’s a possibility that Jefferson is able to play in Week 12, though with the team’s bye week the following week they could just opt to rest him until Week 14.
Their record between now and the bye week might dictate how they want to handle the wideout, but the most important thing is ensuring he’s fully healthy before he returns to game action.
