Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) remains without a firm return date as he continues his recovery from a preseason injury. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said Jefferson is "hopefully going to start doing more and more," but the team is being cautious with its superstar. Jefferson is coming off another elite season, posting 1,533 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. With rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy preparing for his first year as a starter and Jordan Addison suspended to open the season, Jefferson's health is critical. He remains an early first-round fantasy pick this season.
Aug 16, 2025 7:39 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that star wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) won't take part in joint practices with the New England Patriots this week, although he has continued to take part in walk-throughs. Jefferson will be re-evaluated next week. The 26-year-old All-Pro will not play in the second preseason game against the Patriots, but he is making progress as he recovers from a hamstring. It's a bit worrisome not to see Jefferson practicing with the team in training camp, but the Vikings are playing this one very cautious with one of the best pass-catchers in all of football. They have more reason to play it safe with WR2 Jordan Addison to be suspended for the first four games of 2025. Jefferson is missing out on key chances to gain chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but he's still the No. 2 fantasy wideout behind Ja'Marr Chase.
Aug 13, 2025 1:52 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) remains sidelined at training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Jefferson's left-hamstring strain that he suffered on July 24 isn't serious, but the Vikings continue to play it safe with one of the top pass-catchers in the NFL during camp. The Vikings aren't at all concerned that the 26-year-old All-Pro will be in danger of missing Week 1 of the regular season, and the fact that he's been seen working on side fields with trainers could be a sign that he'll return to practice soon. It wouldn't be a surprise if we don't see Jefferson play at all in the preseason, but he should be ready come Week 1. Fantasy managers should be monitoring Jefferson's progress, but he's still RotoBaller's second-ranked fantasy receiver.
Aug 6, 2025 3:50 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) was on a side field during practice on Friday working out with trainers, according to Emily Leiker of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said there still isn't a timeline on Jefferson's full re-integration at practices, but that he would ramp back up into some work this week and that updates have been "really positive." The 26-year-old All-Pro wideout hasn't practiced with the rest of the team for a full week now, but the Vikings are likely just being overly cautious with one of the best pass-catchers in football. The Vikes want to rest Jefferson but also know he's going to need reps with quarterback J.J. McCarthy before the start of the regular season. We would expect him to return to the practice field sooner than later. Unless Jefferson's absence drags on longer, he should still be one of the first receivers taken in fantasy drafts.
Aug 1, 2025 5:07 PM EST
ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that it doesn't sound like the Minnesota Vikings plan to mothball wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) until the start of the regular season. "I have zero worry about the opener, but there's a lot of time between now and then. What that looks like, we're going to be smart. But at the same time, he wants to get back out there. He doesn't want to stay wearing what I wear to practice much longer," head coach Kevin O'Connell said. Jefferson was held out of training camp practice last Thursday, and a day later it was announced that the 26-year-old All-Pro wideout is dealing with a mild left-hamstring strain. It's more of a day-to-day injury, the Jefferson has yet to return to practice. He's missing valuable time to develop chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but Jefferson should return sooner than later and remains an elite fantasy wideout until further notice.
Jul 29, 2025 5:18 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) has suffered a mild left-hamstring strain, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Lewis reports that the team plans to be "really cautious" with its star receiver, but does not relay any sort of timeline for his return to practice. Jefferson missed seven games with an injury to his right hamstring back in 2023, so there's a history of soft-tissue injuries in his lower body. The 26-year-old is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, coming off a season in which he recorded 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns. His presence on the field is critical to the success of Minnesota's offense and first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. It's too early to say that Jefferson is at risk of missing any significant time, but the Vikings are already likely facing an early-season suspension for their WR2, Jordan Addison.
Jul 25, 2025 3:28 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (legs) had some mild tightness in his legs during training camp practice on Thursday and sat out the end of practice as a result, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The Vikings have no concerns, even in the short term, and they are just being extra cautious to prevent the leg issues that Jefferson experienced in 2023. It doesn't make sense to put the 26-year-old All-Pro pass-catcher in harm's way so early in camp. Fantasy managers shouldn't be at all concerned for now as he heads into his first season catching passes from former first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Jefferson has had over 1,000 yards receiving in all five of his NFL seasons and went for a 103-1,533-10 line in 17 regular-season starts with Sam Darnold at QB in 2024. He's the No. 2 fantasy wideout, behind only Ja'Marr Chase.
Jul 24, 2025 6:04 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson had praise for second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy this week. McCarthy, who missed all of his 2024 rookie season with a knee injury, is still unproven as an NFL quarterback, but Jefferson is not worried. "I want him to be just as confident as I am of him to make the plays out there," the star receiver told reporters. The duo reportedly spent time together on and off the field this offseason as they look to build chemistry after barely getting any reps together last year. Many expect McCarthy to live up to the hype that made him the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft this season, and he has a good shot to do so with a talented collection of skill players around him and QB-whisperer Kevin O'Connell calling the plays. McCarthy should be viewed as a mid-range QB2 heading into fantasy drafts later this summer. Fantasy managers can continue to confidently snag Jefferson as the overall WR2 after Ja'Marr Chase in the first round.
Jul 17, 2025 8:46 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson brought in 5-of-8 targets for 58 yards in his team's Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The fantasy stalwart tied fellow wideout Jordan Addison for the team lead in targets but was mostly shut down by a stingy Rams defense. It was a rough day for the entire Vikes' offense, as quarterback Sam Darnold had trouble connecting with any of his pass catchers, even when he wasn't in the grass. Jefferson caught his last pass of the contest with just over three minutes to go in the first half. The superstar wideout had another excellent season, but he'll undoubtedly be left wanting more after a near first-round bye. At this time, it is difficult to tell who the 25-year-old's signal-caller will be in 2025. However, he'll still likely be chosen amongst the first few picks in next Summer's fantasy drafts.
Jan 14, 2025 12:12 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a locked-in WR1 for Monday night's road tilt with the Los Angeles Rams. The superstar wideout is coming off a three-catch, 54-yard outing in the team's Week 18 loss to the Lions -; marking his lowest reception total of 2024. It wasn't just him, as the entire Vikings offense sputtered against a Detroit defense that played lights out to clinch the NFC North. However, Jefferson will try to get back on track against a Rams D that's been a decent matchup for fantasy wideouts in 2024. Los Angeles tied for the third-most touchdowns allowed to the position (20) despite letting up the second-fewest receptions to wide receivers. If quarterback Sam Darnold can rebound from his poor showing in their most recent loss, the 25-year-old should be in store for a productive day. Jefferson ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR2 for the Wild Card round.
Jan 11, 2025 4:59 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reeled in 3-of-9 targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. It's a disappointing outcome for the fantasy stalwart, as he'd been on quite a tear and was entering a favorable spot against his division rivals. However, Detroit's defense clamped down on the Vikings during the season finale, consistently pressuring quarterback Sam Darnold and keeping their offense off-kilter. The loss breaks a nine-game winning streak for Minnesota and drops them down to the fifth seed in the NFC playoff picture. Instead of a week off and home-field advantage throughout the tournament, they'll now travel to SoFi Stadium in the Wild Card round to line up against the Los Angeles Rams. Expect Jefferson to get back on track next Monday night against a Rams squad that allowed the sixth-most yards per game in 2024.
Jan 5, 2025 11:53 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is primed for a massive outing this Sunday in his team's road matchup with the Detroit Lions. The LSU product reached 1,400 receiving yards for the fourth time in five years in last weekend's win over the Green Bay Packers. He's now tied for the third-most 1,400-yard seasons in NFL history -; trailing only Jerry Rice (6) and Julio Jones (5). Jefferson has notched ten touchdowns in 2024, tying his career-best set in 2021. He'll stand an excellent chance to break that in Week 18 against a Lions defense that's been abysmal on the back end this season. Detroit's allowed the second-most passing yards per game in the NFL (250.4) and the second-largest fantasy points per game figure to WRs (40.3). With a battle for the NFC North and the conference's No. 1 seed on tap, the superstar wideout ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR1 ahead of the season's final slate of action.
Jan 3, 2025 4:44 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson hauled in 8-of-11 targets for 92 yards in his team's 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers. Ho-hum. The fantasy stalwart was solid again, recording his fifth straight appearance with at least seven receptions and 73 receiving yards. The only thing missing from his line was a touchdown. Despite the scoreless outing, Jefferson still came through for fantasy managers -- racking up his thirteenth game with at least 15 fantasy points. His highlight of the day was a 37-yard catch-and-run early in the fourth quarter. The 25-year-old has now notched his third season of at least 100 receptions and 1,400 receiving yards in what's been one of the most outstanding starts to a wideout's career in NFL history. He'll square off with his division-rival Detroit Lions next week in a critical Week 18 contest.
Dec 29, 2024 8:15 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a high-end WR1 play in Week 17 despite a stiff test against the visiting Green Bay Packers. The former LSU Tiger has been the hottest wideout in football since Week 14, ranking as the overall WR1 and averaging 29.6 PPR points per game. Over that stretch, he's racked up a robust 349 yards and 27 receptions with five trips to the end zone -; as many as he had through his first six games this season. Green Bay presents as one of the sounder defensive units against the pass and is tied for the fewest fantasy points allowed per game to WRs (29.3). Still, Jefferson is the PPR WR2 on the season and went for 6/85/1 in the two squads' previous meeting in Week 4. Fire up the 25-year-old as RotoBaller's top wide receiver option in Week 17.
Dec 27, 2024 5:27 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reeled in 10-of-13 targets, amassing 144 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-24 win against the Seattle Seahawks. Jefferson was open all afternoon against a Seahawks defense that had no answer for him. Despite four receptions of seven yards or fewer, the 25-year-old had long gains of 19, 27, and 39 yards -- the last of which was an acrobatic grab that ended in six points. The LSU product has five touchdowns over his previous three games and two outings of over 130 yards in that frame. After a brief cold stretch in the middle of the season, the superstar wideout has returned to form for the fantasy playoffs. He'll get a stiffer test next Sunday in Week 17 with a home rematch against the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay had allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers leading up to Week 16. Still, Jefferson scored 20.5 fantasy points against them earlier this year and is a no-doubt WR1.
Dec 22, 2024 11:09 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a locked-in WR1 in a meeting with the Seattle Seahawks this weekend. The former LSU Tiger has been as steady as they come in 2024 -; notching at least 14 fantasy points in all but two outings. Jefferson matched a season-high with 14 targets in last weekend's win against the Chicago Bears and recorded his third straight game with seven receptions. He gets a Seahawks D in Week 16, which has let up the tenth-most touchdowns to wideouts this season (15), and the 25-year-old has gotten into the end zone in back-to-back weeks after a six-week stretch in which he scored nary a touchdown. Fire him up as RotoBaller's PPR WR3 in this week's rankings.
Dec 20, 2024 5:20 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reeled in 7-of-13 targets for 73 yards and a touchdown in his team's 30-12 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. The last time these two met, Chicago held the superstar wideout to 27 yards and two receptions on five targets. However, Jefferson got one over on the Bears in this one, scoring his third TD in the last two games. Jefferson was involved early, catching his touchdown -- a seven-yarder -- on the Vikings' second drive of the game. The LSU product has seven receptions in three straight outings and continues to torment defenses as one of the most dominant pass-catchers in football. He'll get a date with the Seattle Seahawks in the fantasy semi-finals next weekend and is a locked-in elite WR1.
Dec 17, 2024 12:04 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson will get a rematch against the visiting Chicago Bears in Week 15 on Monday Night Football. Jefferson had a tough go against his division rivals in Week 12, putting up his only stinker of the season (2/27). At the same time, fellow wideout Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson stole the show with massive performances. Otherwise, the superstar WR has been stellar again in 2024 with just one other single-digit fantasy point total. Additionally, he's coming off his best outing of the season and his third 130-plus-yard game of the year. With Minnesota's offense rolling, fire up the 25-year-old as a top option at his position. He ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR4 ahead of this week's slate of action.
Dec 14, 2024 3:32 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson hauled in all seven of his targets for 132 yards and two touchdowns in Week 14's 42-21 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The 25-year-old hadn't hit pay dirt since Week 7 but made up for that in a big way on Sunday with a massive performance. Minnesota's offense was clicking on all cylinders this afternoon as quarterback Sam Darnold tossed five touchdowns against a hapless Falcons defense. It was Jefferson's first two-touchdown performance since Week 4 of 2023. The first of which was a leaping 12-yard grab in the end zone as he ran a pristine route, shaking his defender just enough to offer a window of separation. His second of the day was far easier, as a blown coverage by the Falcons left the superstar receiver wide-open for a 52-yard score. Jefferson will square off against the Chicago Bears again in Week 15. In their last meeting, he was held to 27 yards and two receptions on five targets.
Dec 8, 2024 5:44 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson could be in store for a massive day this weekend when his team lines up against the Atlanta Falcons. The fifth-year wideout rebounded nicely in Week 13 after putting up a stinker the week prior -- becoming just the fourth player in league history to rack up 1,000-plus yards in each of their first five seasons in the process. It's been an incredible start to his career. Jefferson will look to get back into the end zone this weekend -- something he has yet to do since Week 7 -- and has a strong chance to do so against a Falcons defensive unit that has been abysmal against wide receivers in 2024. Atlanta allows the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers (37.9), with 15 of their 21 passing scores given up coming to the position. The 25-year-old is RotoBaller's PPR WR3 in this week's rankings.
Dec 6, 2024 6:10 PM EST
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