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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that wide receiver Justin Jefferson did not report on Monday for Day 1 of voluntary workouts. The workouts this spring are voluntary, and Jefferson is angling for a new contract. It was a disappointing year for Jefferson in 2023 due to injury, as he played in a career-low 10 games. However, the three-time Pro Bowler still managed to go over 1,000 yards receiving for the fourth straight season to begin his NFL career, also adding five touchdowns. The 24-year-old remains one of the best wideouts, if not the best, in football when he's healthy. However, contract situation aside, his fantasy value for 2024 is inevitably going to take a hit after quarterback Kirk Cousins left in free agency to play for the Atlanta Falcons.
Apr 15, 2024 2:05 PM EST
At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah aggressively rejected the idea of trading star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The Vikings came close to extending Jefferson last offseason, and the team still has no plans to trade him despite quarterback Kirk Cousins' departure to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, according to sources. The 25-year-old pass-catcher is currently signed through the 2024 season. With Cousins gone, the Vikings signed former first-rounder Sam Darnold. Unless the team makes a splash in the upcoming NFL draft for a rookie signal-caller, all signs point to Darnold taking over the starting gig in Minnesota, which would give Jefferson far less upside as an elite WR1 for fantasy purposes.
Mar 13, 2024 12:05 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been the subject of social-media chatter lately as a potential trade candidate this offseason, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the idea of trading Jefferson is "not something that has once crossed my mind." The speculation is coming this offseason because of the fact that the two sides haven't been able to work out a long-term extension yet. The 24-year-old made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons in the league before playing in a career-low 10 games in 2023 due to injury. But Jefferson still managed his fourth straight 1,000-yard season despite his injury. While he'll remain an elite WR1 in fantasy heading into drafts this fall, whether quarterback Kirk Cousins re-signs in free agency will be a major talking point as it relates to Jefferson this offseason.
Feb 27, 2024 2:01 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson absolutely dominated in the regular season finale on Sunday against the Detroit Lions in a 30-20 loss, catching 12 of his 14 targets for 192 yards and a touchdown. He also had one carry for a loss of 12 yards. It was a tough season for the 24-year-old and fantasy managers that took him in the first round, as he was only able to play in 10 games due to a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined from Weeks 6-12. Despite missing seven games, Jefferson still managed a 1,000-yard season with 68 receptions on 100 targets for five touchdowns. It was even more impressive that he did it with four different quarterbacks in 2023. Even with Kirk Cousins' future in Minnesota uncertain, Jefferson has proven that he's one of the best receivers, if not the best, in all of football.
Jan 8, 2024 12:54 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson returns to the WR1 tier for fantasy football after the team announced that quarterback Nick Mullens would return to the starting role against the Detroit Lions in Week 18. The 24-year-old looked solid in Mullens' previous two starts, totaling 13 catches, 225 yards, and one touchdown during that span. Mullens has the tendency to air the ball out and take risks, which bodes well for Jefferson's upside, even against a respected Lions defense. Fantasy managers should view the alpha wideout as a must-start option once against this week.
Jan 7, 2024 8:46 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson posted his third straight week with 10 targets in Sunday night's dismal 33-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers, logging five receptions for 59 yards. Jefferson was dealt a tough hand in Week 17, with the Vikings electing for a midgame quarterback swap between Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens. It was more or less a microcosm of Jefferson's frustrating 2023 for both real-life and fantasy purposes, as the 24-year-old three-time Pro Bowler was well on his way to another ridiculous campaign before his midseason hamstring strain was later coupled with Kirk Cousins' (Achilles) season-ending injury. Fantasy managers who actually made it to the finals despite Jefferson's seven-game absence may have hardly benefitted from having him available anyway. Jefferson pulled in a 6/141/1 receiving line last Sunday against the Detroit Lions, who he will take on in Week 18.
Jan 1, 2024 1:25 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson will look to build on his 141-yard performance in Week 17 as the Vikings host the Packers. Jefferson will look to build a rapport with his new quarterback Jaren Hall in this one, as the rookie makes just his second NFL start. The All-Pro wideout could be relied on heavily in the passing game on Sunday, as T.J. Hockenson (knee) is out and Jordan Addison (ankle) is listed as questionable. Jefferson gets a more positive outlook with Jaire Alexander (suspension) sitting out of this game, so fantasy managers can treat the stud receiver as a WR1 option in the fantasy championship weekend.
Dec 30, 2023 4:53 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson enjoyed his best game since returning from injured reserve in Sunday's tough 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions, catching six of his 10 targets for 141 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota's offense ran through Jefferson in Week 16, as complementary pieces T.J. Hockenson (knee) and Jordan Addison (ankle) left the contest early, and the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year reminded the world of his innate ability to take over a football game. Jefferson scored from 26 yards out in the second quarter, but perhaps his biggest highlight of the afternoon came on a catch-of-the-year candidate from 27 yards away on third-and-long late in the fourth period. For season-long fantasy managers that hung in there for Jefferson's seven-game absence from Weeks 6 through 12, the 24-year-old All-Pro will try to help win fantasy championships on New Year's Eve next Sunday night versus the Green Bay Packers.
Dec 25, 2023 12:46 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson will look to build on a solid performance in Week 15, where he caught seven passes for 84 yards in his first full game back from the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 4. The Lions have surrendered the 14th-most passing yards this season, which paves the way for Jefferson to get back to being the fantasy stud he was drafted as all offseason. With his role as the clear-cut No. 1 option in the Minnesota passing game, fantasy managers can treat the All-Pro wideout as a solid WR1 option in Week 16
Dec 23, 2023 2:23 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson caught seven of 10 targets for 84 receiving yards in Week 15, as the All-Pro wideout led the team in both targets and catches in this one. Jefferson looks to be quarterback Nick Mullens' go-to target, so fantasy managers can continue to start him with confidence moving forward, as the Vikings don't look shy to continue throwing the ball despite their inexperienced quarterback under center. Jefferson can be valued as a WR1 option moving forward, but not quite the top-tier fantasy asset he was drafted as all summer.
Dec 16, 2023 4:45 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) is officially active for Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. Jefferson took a hard shot in his return from Injured Reserve in the Week 14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders and went to the hospital for tests as a precaution. The 24-year-old All-Pro avoided a serious injury, though, and said earlier this week he expected to play a normal game this weekend. Jefferson was listed as questionable on Thursday's final injury report, but he's good to go and should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups in the first round of the playoffs in most leagues. Expect new starting quarterback Nick Mullens to look Jefferson's way often in his first start of the 2023 season.
Dec 16, 2023 12:01 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) is officially listed as questionable to play on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. Meanwhile, receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion) has been ruled out. Jefferson was a full-go in practice on Friday and said on Wednesday that he's expecting to have a normal full workload in this weekend's game despite having to go to the hospital to be evaluated after taking a hard hit in his return from Injured Reserve in the Week 14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It's been an injury-plagued season for the 24-year-old All-Pro, but fantasy managers will be happy to know they should have him available to play in Week 15 in what is the first round of the playoffs in most leagues. Throw Jefferson back into all starting lineup spots but make sure to check Minnesota's inactives on Saturday just in case.
Dec 14, 2023 3:30 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) said he expects to play a full, normal game this Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals. He called his injury an "inner bruise" after taking a hard hit early in the Week 14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Jefferson was taken to the hospital as a precaution but avoided a serious injury and will be available to play in Week 15, much to the delight of fantasy managers that were counting on him this week. The 24-year-old All-Pro was listed as limited in Tuesday's practice and thankfully avoided any broken ribs or internal bleeding. He'll be working with quarterback Nick Mullens for the first time this year on Saturday, but Jefferson needs to be locked into all starting fantasy lineups despite his injury-plagued 2023 campaign.
Dec 13, 2023 1:31 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's estimated practice report. Jefferson is being considered day-to-day after injuring his chest on a hard shot in the Week 14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders that required a trip to the hospital as a precaution. The 24-year-old All-Pro wideout avoided a serious injury and will have a shot to play on Saturday in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jefferson had just returned from a seven-week stay on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring on Sunday, and he caught two passes on three targets for 27 yards before leaving the field again due to injury. If Jefferson does indeed play this weekend, he'll be a must-start in all starting fantasy lineups with quarterback Nick Mullens taking over as the new starter under center.
Dec 12, 2023 6:53 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell considers wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) day-to-day with a chest injury he suffered in his return in the Week 14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, and the team thinks he has a chance to play in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old All-Pro was returning from a seven-game absence while on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury, but he caught only two passes for 27 yards before taking a hard shot on Sunday. Jefferson was sent to the hospital as a precaution but was able to travel home with the team and isn't dealing with a serious injury. We'll keep a close eye on his practice participation on a short week, but if Jefferson is active against Cincy, he should be in all starting fantasy lineups.
Dec 11, 2023 6:04 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) appears to have avoided a serious injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The All-Pro receiver was sent to the hospital after suffering the injury but returned to the stadium shortly after and traveled home with the team. The Vikings are playing on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals, meaning it's a short week for Jefferson to recover. There's a chance that the former first-round pick will miss more game action this season, but we'll get better clarity when the Vikings release their first injury report later this week.
Dec 11, 2023 9:35 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) was ruled out of Sunday's narrow win over the Raiders. The wideout was taken to the locker room before being transported to a local hospital for testing. Per head coach Kevin O'Connell, Jefferson suffered "an internal chest injury," although he's well enough to travel home with the team. Nevertheless, it's a tough blow for fantasy managers, especially since Jefferson just returned from a seven-game absence because of a hamstring injury. Fortunately, the Vikings are still in the postseason hunt, so there's hope for Jefferson to get healthy quickly. But the team also won't take chances with the superstar, meaning he may not be out there for the Week 15 encounter with the Cincinnati Bengals. Without him, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison, and K.J. Osborn could see more attention from either Joshua Dobbs or Nick Mullens, depending on which signal-caller gets the start.
Dec 10, 2023 8:20 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) won't return to Sunday's meeting with the Raiders. The wideout was playing well before going down, catching two of his three targets for 27 yards. But now his day is over, which is a tough blow for fantasy managers, considering he just returned from a seven-game absence because of a hamstring issue. Even worse, Jefferson is being transported to a local medical facility for more testing, so it doesn't appear he'll be back on the field anytime in the near future.
Dec 10, 2023 5:50 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup versus the Las Vegas Raiders. The wideout was leading the way on the receiving end for the Vikings before going down, catching two of his three targets for 27 yards. But after returning from a seven-game absence because of a hamstring issue, Jefferson is now being evaluated for a chest injury, which is undoubtedly frustrating for fantasy managers.
Dec 10, 2023 5:10 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) has been removed from the final Week 14 injury report and will make his return on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Vikings officially activated Jefferson from Injured Reserve last week. Sunday's game will be the 24-year-old All-Pro's first action since injuring his hamstring in Week 5. Despite the long layoff, fantasy managers need to get him back into their starting lineups this weekend as Minnesota's unquestioned No. 1 receiver when healthy. There is inherent risk in his first game back while working with quarterback Joshua Dobbs for the first time, but Jefferson is just too big of a game-changer to bench when he's active. Jefferson's return will inevitably mean fewer looks for rookie first-rounder Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Dec 8, 2023 2:31 PM EST
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