Vikings coach updates Justin Jefferson's practice timeline

Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings coach offers update on Justin Jefferson practice timeline

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 11/3/23

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is eligible to come off injured reserve and begin practicing next week, but it does not necessarily sound like that is the plan.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell admitted that he simply was not sure if the team will open Jefferson’s practice window ahead of Week 10. The wide receiver landed on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury during the Minnesota’s Oct. 8 game against Kansas City.

Here's what Kevin O'Connell said about the possibility of Justin Jefferson and/or Nick Mullens returning practice next week, as they are eligible to do under IR rules: pic.twitter.com/vxKmzcLpC5

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 3, 2023

“I think we’re going to have some end-of-week assessments and see where those guys are at and we’ll continue those on into the next week, and when the time’s right to get those windows opened up, we’ll do that and get those guys back practicing again,” O’Connell told reporters.

This does not make it sound particularly likely that Jefferson will be ready to get back to action for Week 10. That is not necessarily a huge surprise, since there were reports that it would be four weeks before the wide receiver could even be evaluated for a possible return.

The Vikings have actually won three straight since Jefferson went down, but Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury complicates things. Clarity has to come soon, but there is none right now.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: