20 days after opening his 21-day window to return from injured reserve, the Vikings have officially activated superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He'll make his much-anticipated return to action in Vegas following Minnesota's bye week.
Jefferson was apparently close to being able to play against the Bears on Monday night, but he and the team decided to hold him out for one more game to give him two extra weeks to get to 100 percent before playing against the Raiders. He missed a total of seven games due to the hamstring injury he sustained against the Chiefs in Week 5. Jefferson is expected to return without any limitations in Week 14.
WR N'Keal Harry was waived to make room for Jefferson on the active roster. QB Sean Mannion was released from the practice squad, so Harry could land there.
Before getting hurt, Jefferson was off to a ridiculous start to his fourth NFL season. He opened the year with at least 149 yards in three consecutive games, totaling 33 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns in the season's first four weeks. He had 14 catches of at least 20 yards in that span, a number that still leads the Vikings (T.J. Hockenson has 11 in 12 games).
Jefferson will look to hit the ground running upon his return. With 571 yards on the season, can he get to 1,000 over the final five games of the regular season? That might depend on whoever is playing quarterback. It won't be Kirk Cousins, who has thrown 354 of Jefferson's 360 career receptions.
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