Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) looks at the big screen during second half of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings won’t trade Justin Jefferson; new deal was ‘close’ last year

INDIANAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has no interest in trading star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

“That is not something that once crossed my mind,” Adofo-Mensah told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. “You’ve got a blue(-chip) player, a blue(-chip) person. You try and keep as many of those as you can.”

Jefferson, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year two seasons ago, had his 2023 season interrupted by a hamstring injury but still finished with 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. He’s entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

Adofo-Mensah told reporters the Vikings got “unbelievably close” to an extension agreement with Jefferson last spring, but that those deals don’t tend to get done after a player’s third year because of the uncertainty on both ends.

According to the GM, the Vikings believe Jefferson should be among the highest-paid players in the league.

“We’ve said it, and we continue to say, we think he’s the best receiver in the league and should be compensated as such,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We think he’s one of the best non-quarterbacks in the league, and should be compensated as such. So we’ll continue to have those dialogues and those conversations.

“I promised (Jefferson and his camp), and I will continue to promise them, I will not talk about our negotiations. I think the job should be done with integrity. So a lot of stuff that I hear is completely false, but I can’t get up here and tell you what’s not true or not false, because that’s not that’s not how I promised them I would operate.”

The “completely false” stuff, as it turns out, includes considering a trade.

“We’re excited to have him and continue those conversations because he’s somebody we want around for a long time,” Adofo-Mensah said.

Among the question marks involved in Jefferson’s decision is who will be throwing him the ball long-term. Kirk Cousins, who will turn 36 before the start of the new season, will have his contract void March 13 unless the Vikings reach an extension with him.

Complicating matters, Cousins ruptured his right Achilles in late October and is in the middle of rehabbing the first major injury of his NFL career. He posted a video to social media Monday showing him backpedaling and throwing on an indoor tennis court.

“You know Kirk, obviously again, another person we’ve had these dialogues the past couple of seasons, had a great conversation with him a few days ago,” Adofo-Mensah said. “Same thing, though, with the other day. It’s, we have our interests. He has his. We’ll get to the table to see if we can figure out a creative solution and kind of meet in the middle. That’s what every contract negotiation is. And that’s what it’ll be with him.”

The GM said Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has talked with Jefferson about the team’s quarterback situation.

“I think any great player, especially a wide receiver should want to have a great quarterback, who’s accurate and is gonna throw him the football when he’s open,” Adofo-Mensah said. “And he gets open better than anybody else in the league. So that is something that’s important.

“… I think you got to treat players like partners, you got to bring them in and have those conversations with them. And that’s something we’ll do with Justin.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson active vs. Bengals

Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson is active for Saturday’s game against the host Cincinnati Bengals.

Jefferson was listed as questionable after sustaining a chest injury while making a 15-yard catch across the middle on a pass from Josh Dobbs in Minnesota’s 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

He was limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday before being a full participant in Thursday’s session.

Jefferson, 24, has 38 catches for 598 yards and three touchdowns in six games this season.

While Jefferson is active, the Vikings (7-6) ruled the following players as inactive for the game: guard Chris Reed, running back Alexander Mattison, offensive tackle Brian O’Neill, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, safety Lewis Cine, tight end Nick Muse and Dobbs.

The Bengals (7-6), in turn, listed halfback Chris Evans, center Trey Hill, defensive tackle Jay Tufele, offensive tackle Jackson Carman and linebacker Joe Bachie as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson says he’s playing Sunday

Minnesota Vikings standout wide receiver Justin Jefferson said Wednesday that he will play this week, two days removed from a trip to the hospital after a suffering a chest injury during Sunday’s game.

The team’s first injury report will be released later Wednesday, but Jefferson told reporters that he’s playing Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jefferson called the injury an “inner bruise.”

Jefferson said he was watching the game while being transported to the hospital and then after he arrived.

“I was yelling, I was screaming,” Jefferson told reporters. “The people that were really hurt were probably annoyed by me. … It was definitely a new experience for me that I don’t want again.”

Jefferson was injured during the Vikings’ 3-0 win at Las Vegas while making a 15-yard catch across the middle on a pass from Josh Dobbs. Jefferson leaped for a high pass, and while both of his arms were raised, he absorbed a hard hit on the back right side of his ribs from Raiders safety Marcus Epps.

The injury prompted an early exit for Jefferson, who was playing for the first time in eight games. He sustained a right hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jefferson averaged 135.8 receiving yards per game through his first four games of the season.

The NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, Jefferson finished Sunday’s game with two catches for 27 yards.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (chest) taken to hospital

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was taken to a Las Vegas hospital for precautionary reasons after sustaining a chest injury Sunday afternoon against the Raiders.

Jefferson was injured while making a 15-yard catch across the middle. He leaped for a high pass, and while both of his arms were raised, he absorbed a hard hit on the back right side of his ribs from Raiders safety Marcus Epps.

The injury prompted an early exit for Jefferson, who was playing for the first time in eight games. He sustained a right hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jefferson averaged 135.8 receiving yards per game through his first four games of the season.

The NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, he finished the game with two catches for 27 yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson activated from IR

The Minnesota Vikings activated All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson from injured reserve on Tuesday.

Jefferson is on the 53-man roster one day after the Vikings dropped their second consecutive decision with a 12-10 setback to the Chicago Bears. Minnesota needed to activate Jefferson by Wednesday to avoid having him land on season-ending injured reserve under NFL rules permitting players to return from IR.

The Vikings (6-6) are headed into their bye week with questions at quarterback. They return to action at the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 10.

Jefferson returned to practice Nov. 8 but primarily participated in position drills and running routes at less than full speed.

Jefferson, 24, was injured in the Vikings’ Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 36 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns this season.

When Jefferson was hurt, Kirk Cousins was still the starter for the Vikings. But Cousins was lost to a season-ending injury in November and the Vikings won the next two games primarily behind trade deadline acquisition Joshua Dobbs.

Dobbs threw four interceptions in Monday’s loss, opening the door to the Vikings weighing making another change during the bye week.

Of Jefferson’s 360 career receptions, 354 were on passes thrown by Cousins.

Named NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, Jefferson was a first-team All-Pro with a league-best 128 catches and 1,809 yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Vikings will not activate WR Justin Jefferson for ‘MNF’

The Minnesota Vikings will not activate star wide receiver Justin Jefferson for Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears, opting instead for another week of rest, NFL Network and the Star Tribune reported.

Reports from Sunday said it was unlikely Jefferson would play.

Jefferson and the Vikings are exercising caution to guard against re-injury with the benefit of almost two weeks before Minnesota next would play a game: Dec. 10 at the Las Vegas Raiders. The Vikings enter their bye week starting Tuesday, allowing extra cushion for any decision on the status of Jefferson, who remains in the 21-day window to return to the active roster from injured reserve.

Jefferson returned to practice Nov. 8 but has been limited, primarily participating in position drills and running some routes at less than full speed. He said he would make the final call on his status each week, then was inactive for the Vikings’ 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 11.

Jefferson, 24, was injured in the Vikings’ Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 36 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns this season.

He was a first-team All-Pro last season when he led the NFL with 128 catches and 1,809 yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings rule out WR Justin Jefferson vs. Broncos

The Minnesota Vikings ruled out All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

Jefferson, who had been listed as questionable, was a limited participant in practice during the week.

Jefferson said Thursday after participating in individual drills in practice that the final call on his game status would be his to make. He remains in the 21-day window to return from injured reserve and last played Oct. 8. He said he wouldn’t play until he’s 100 percent healthy.

In other moves, the Vikings ruled out guard Chris Reed for Sunday’s game. The team activated quarterback Nick Mullens to the 53-man roster. Linebacker Anthony Barr and CB Joejuan Williams were elevated to the active roster.

Jefferson, 24, was injured in the Vikings’ Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 36 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns this season.

While sidelined, the Vikings lost quarterback Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury but haven’t lost a game. They have strung together five consecutive wins.

The Vikings (6-4) are 2-0 since Joshua Dobbs took over at quarterback after injuries to Cousins and rookie Jaren Hall, who was ruled out for Week 11 at Denver. They are 1 1/2 games behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.

Starting running back Alexander Mattison (concussion) is also questionable for Sunday’s game but he’s reportedly set to play.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings open 21-day window for WR Justin Jefferson

Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since straining his right hamstring on Oct. 8.

The Vikings designated Jefferson to return from injured reserve and opened the 21-day practice window for the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Jefferson, 24, was placed on IR on Oct. 11 and has been sidelined throughout a four-game winning streak by the Vikings (5-4), who host the New Orleans Saints (5-4) on Sunday.

Jefferson was injured during the second half of Minnesota’s 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5. He has 36 receptions for 571 yards and three touchdowns in five games this season.

He led the NFL in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809) in 2022, making the Pro Bowl for the third time and the All-Pro first team for the first time.

If Jefferson returns this weekend, he will be rejoining a new-look offense now under the direction of quarterback Joshua Dobbs following Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Justin Jefferson (hamstring) expected to miss 4-6 weeks

The Minnesota Vikings are bracing for star wide receiver Justin Jefferson to be sidelined up to six weeks with the hamstring injury he sustained last week, ESPN reported Saturday.

The All-Pro Jefferson was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. He has to miss at least four games. The team will run imaging on the hamstring again in four weeks to measure when he can return, per the report.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said earlier this week he expects Jefferson to return this season. However, with the Vikings sitting 1-4 heading into Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears (1-4), Jefferson could opt against returning this season if the team is out of the playoff race by the time he’s healthy enough to return.

Jefferson, the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, strained his right hamstring in the second half of Minnesota’s 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday.

Jefferson has been a workhorse for the Vikings, who selected him with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 24-year-old has yet to miss a game in his career, playing in 55 with 53 starts. He led the NFL last season with 128 catches for 1,809 yards, his third straight season with at least 1,400 yards.

Jefferson caught eight touchdown passes last season and has 28 for his career.

Through the first five weeks this season, Jefferson has 36 catches for 571 yards and three scores. So far this season, Jefferson has played 92 percent of the Vikings’ snaps, equal to his 2022 total.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings place WR Justin Jefferson on injured reserve

The Minnesota Vikings placed star wide receiver Justin Jefferson on injured reserve Wednesday.

Jefferson, the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, strained his right hamstring in the second half of Minnesota’s 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday.

Backup quarterback Nick Mullens also was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, and he will join Jefferson in sitting out the team’s next four games. Both will be eligible to return when the Vikings host the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 12.

Mullens was inactive against the Chiefs due to a back injury. Rookie Jaren Hall now serves as the backup to starter Kirk Cousins for the Vikings, who signed quarterback Sean Mannion to the practice squad on Wednesday.

Also Wednesday, Minnesota added N’Keal Harry and Trishton Jackson to their 53-man roster from the practice squad. The Vikings also signed wideout Dan Chisena and tight end Troy Fumagalli to the practice squad and designated running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu to return to practice from injured reserve.

Jefferson has been a workhorse for the Vikings, who selected him with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 24-year-old has yet to miss a game in his career, playing in 55 with 53 starts. He led the NFL last season with 128 catches for 1,809 yards, his third straight season with at least 1,400 yards.

Jefferson caught eight touchdown passes last season and has 28 for his career.

Through the first five weeks this season, Jefferson has 36 catches for 571 yards and three scores. So far this season, Jefferson has played 92 percent of the Vikings’ snaps, equal to his 2022 total.

Mullens, 28, completed 21 of 25 passes for 224 yards with one touchdown and one interception in four games last season.

Mannion, 31, appeared in four games during three seasons with the Vikings from 2019-21.

–Field Level Media