Minnesota Vikings’ star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is set to miss his seventh consecutive game due to a hamstring strain, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Vikings, currently 6-5, have performed well during Jefferson’s absence, holding a 5-1 record since he got injured in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jefferson expressed frustration about his prolonged absence, emphasizing the difficulty of being patient and ensuring proper healing.
Despite initially stating he would play against the Chicago Bears if feeling well, Jefferson’s absence continues. The Vikings plan to utilize the bye week to optimize his recovery, expecting him to play a crucial role in the team’s playoff push during the final five games.
The team’s recent success includes a lone loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 11. Jefferson is anticipated to return for the Vikings’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders post-bye week and will be available for critical matchups against the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions in the following weeks.
Despite the team’s positive performance without Jefferson, they face criticism from NFL fans, impacting the player off the field. Dealing with harassment and accusations from fans, Jefferson opted to delete his social media accounts over the weekend. The prolonged recovery timeline, initially estimated at 4-6 weeks, has added pressure to the situation.
#Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (questionable, hamstring) is not expected to play Monday night vs. Bears, per source.
Vikings will give him the bye week – and he’ll be a big part of the team’s playoff push over the final five games.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 26, 2023
As the Vikings aim to close the gap with the division-leading Detroit Lions, they face the 5-6 Green Bay Packers, who have won consecutive games. Although Jefferson’s absence has been challenging, the team remains favored by 3 points in the upcoming Monday night matchup against the Chicago Bears.
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