Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings look like they are about to get a key player back on their roster. The timing could not be more perfect considering they are coming off of a 12-10 loss on Monday Night Football to the Chicago Bears. Plus, they have a bye week coming up. 

Justin Jefferson Is Activated 

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is being activated from injured reserve today. Jefferson has been out since the end of Week 5 due to a hamstring injury. He suffered that injury during a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Jefferson’s presence will be welcomed by the Vikings. Through five games this season, he has 571 receiving yards along with three touchdown receptions. Now, he will look to reflect or surpass those numbers in Minnesota’s final five games. 

Impact On the Minnesota Vikings 

The Minnesota Vikings have been trying to tread water since Jefferson got hurt. It did not help that they lost starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles injury during this stretch. Since then, they traded for QB Joshua Dobbs.

He is coming off of his worst game of the season. Dobbs threw four interceptions and had just a 54.3 passer rating in the Vikings’ Week 12 loss to the Bears. With Jefferson likely returning soon, Dobbs hopes to put that game behind him. 

Minnesota Vikings Remaining Games

Five games are remaining for the Minnesota Vikings. Who do they play? Let’s take a look: 

  • at Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
  • at Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
  • vs. Detroit Lions (8-3) 
  • vs. Green Bay Packers (5-6) 
  • at Detroit Lions (8-3) 

They have a bye week in Week 13. Then, Minnesota will have to tackle this remaining schedule. Right now, the Vikings are holding on to one of the last NFC wild card spots for dear life. Considering three teams trail them by just half a game, it will be important for them to bounce back with Jefferson. 

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