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

Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) warms up before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings to review QB options after Joshua Dobbs’ 4-INT night

Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw four interceptions in a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday, throwing open the possibility Minnesota prepares another starter during the upcoming bye week.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said he considered pulling Dobbs during the loss and turning to Nick Mullens.

He plans to give that option more thought during the bye as the Vikings (6-6) attempt to recover from back-to-back losses by a combined three points.

“We’re going to take a look and really evaluate the inventory of plays we have of Josh,” said O’Connell. “We got healthy. We got Jaren (Hall) back available to us, and then Nick Mullens is available as well.”

Dobbs said he let the team down by not making enough plays to get the win, crediting the defense for doing its part.

“Bye week, everyone will come back rejuvenated. I’ll be better, we’ll be better,” Dobbs said.

The Vikings acquired the 28-year-old Dobbs, who is playing for his seventh NFL team, days after losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury.

He led a comeback win off the bench in his first game at Atlanta in Week 9.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Last-minute FG lifts Bears past turnover-plagued Vikings

Cairo Santos made four field goals, including the game-winning kick with 10 seconds remaining, to lift the Chicago Bears to a 12-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night in Minneapolis.

Santos’ 30-yard field goal capped off a contest that was defined by aggressive defenses and turnover-prone offenses. Chicago (4-8) earned its first win against an NFC North opponent under coach Matt Eberflus, who entered the game 0-9 against division rivals.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields completed 27 of 37 passes for 217 yards. He rushed 12 times for 59 yards but lost two fumbles in the second half.

Joshua Dobbs threw a career-high four interceptions for Minnesota (6-6). He completed 22 of 32 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown.

The Bears trailed 10-9 when they took over on their own 22-yard line with no timeouts and 2:29 remaining. Fields pushed the ball bear midfield but faced third-and-10 after back-to-back incompletions.

On the next play, Fields found DJ Moore open downfield for a 36-yard gain. That gave the Bears a fresh set of downs on the Minnesota 13-yard line.

Soon after, Fields took a knee on three plays in a row to set up a short field-goal opportunity.

The ending spoiled a near comeback by Minnesota, which grabbed a 10-9 lead with 5:54 remaining. Dobbs fired a 17-yard pass to T.J. Hockenson for the only touchdown of the night by either team.

Chicago had taken a 9-3 advantage with 14:15 remaining on Santos’ third field goal. He connected from 55 yards for his longest kick of the night.

Then came Chicago defense’s fourth interception. Kyler Gordon picked off a deflected pass from Dobbs to give the Bears the ball back at the Minnesota 38-yard line.

The Vikings joined the takeaway party several plays later. Danielle Hunter popped the ball loose from Fields, and Sheldon Day pounced on it to give Minnesota the ball back on its 23-yard line.

The Bears’ defense flustered Dobbs and the Vikings for most of the first half. Minnesota finished the first quarter with minus-7 total yards, and Dobbs threw a pair of first-half interceptions to Chicago defenders Jaylon Johnson and Jaquan Brisker.

–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

Nov 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (2) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

MNF Week 12: Bears-Vikings Preview, Props, Prediction

The Minnesota Vikings will go for a season sweep of a division rival when they host the Chicago Bears on Monday night in Minneapolis.

Minnesota (6-5) already has faced the Bears once this season, earning a 19-13 win in Chicago in Week 6. That fueled a five-game winning streak that finally ended last week when the Denver Broncos handed the Vikings a 21-20 loss.

PREDICTION
The Vikings would be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today and cannot afford to lose a home game to the three-win Bears. It won’t be easy — Minnesota’s ground-based offense needs to control field position while its defense must control the legs of Chicago quarterback Justin Fields.

Prediction: Vikings 23, Bears 20

TRENDING
Minnesota is a 3.0-point favorite, with the public backing the Vikings with 77 percent of the spread-line bets and 71 percent of the money since the line opened at 3.5 points at BetMGM.

The book reported that NFL favorites are 12-3 against the spread so far in Week 12.

“The public feasted on favorites Thanksgiving weekend and it resulted in the biggest week for sports bettors this NFL season at BetMGM,” BetMGM trading manager Christian Cipollini said.

The Vikings’ moneyline has also been popular, drawing 68 and 74 percent of the action, respectively, as it has shortened from -175 to -150.

The Over/Under opened at 45.0 points, but has also moved to 44 points with the public backing the Under with 72 percent of the money.

PROP PICK
Vikings RB Ty Chandler Over 31.5 Rushing Yards (-115 at DraftKings): The fifth-round rookie has emerged as a productive complement to Alexander Mattison since Cam Akers tore his Achilles tendon. Chandler backed up a 15-carry, 45-yard performance in Week 10 with 73 yards on 10 carries last week. In a game the Vikings wants to control through their ground game, Chandler should again see a double-digit carry workload.

THE NEWS
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell must decide whether to allow his best player — wideout Justin Jefferson — to return from a hamstring injury or to play it safe and keep Jefferson out for this week plus the team’s bye next week.

Jefferson is not expected to play, according to multiple media reports, and was listed as questionable on the Vikings’ final injury report. The Vikings have until Monday at 4 p.m. ET to decide whether to activate Jefferson for the game.

The 24-year-old Jefferson had 36 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns when he went down in the fifth game of the season.

“We have urgency to win this football game,” O’Connell said. “We’re just not going to allow that to distract us from the fact that we started out with some really strong principles in making sure Justin was at a good place and 100 percent healthy when he returns. … We’re not going to allow any other outside circumstances or even the circumstances of our team to drive that situation in any way, shape or form.”

Questions also surround Chicago (3-8), albeit for different reasons. The Bears are positioned to have a couple of high picks in next year’s NFL draft, and they must decide whether Justin Fields is their long-term answer at quarterback or whether they should turn to a top prospect.

Fields, 24, has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in seven games. He also has rushed for 341 yards and a touchdown.

In his last game against the Vikings, Fields sustained a dislocated right thumb that forced him to miss four games. He was 6 of 10 for 58 yards with an interception when he was injured.

“We’re better than what we put on tape that game,” Fields said. “(It’s all about) putting our best foot forward. Making sure we’re on our Ps and Qs each and every play. Locked in and getting the ball out fast when we need to, when they do bring that pressure. It’s going to be key. When they do bring pressure, the O-line picking it up. Everything starts up front.”

Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs also has spent a fair amount of time evading pressure in the pocket since he joined the team in an Oct. 31 trade with the Arizona Cardinals. Dobbs has passed for 647 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in three games with Minnesota, and he has rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

One player within range of a statistical milestone is Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore. He needs 111 receiving yards to secure his fourth career 1,000-yard season.

INJURY REPORT
Bears running back D’Onta Foreman (ankle/shin), guard Larry Borom (illness), linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (ankle) were ruled out. Foreman’s injury likely means Khalil Herbert will serve as the No. 1 running back.

For the Vikings, tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs) returned to full practice Saturday and is not listed on the injury report. Cornerback Akayleb Evans (calf) also practiced Saturday but remains questionable.

–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 WR Justin Jefferson likely to sit MNF, return post-bye

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is not expected to be active Monday night for the team’s NFC North matchup with the Chicago Bears.

According to multiple reports, Jefferson and the Vikings are exercising extreme 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.

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.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that part of the math Minnesota was compelled to consider was the “free” rest week that follows the Week 12 game against the Bears.

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, 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

Sep 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) scores on a touchdown pass as Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) chases from behind during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Jefferson could be back when Vikings battle Bears

The Minnesota Vikings will go for a season sweep of a division rival when they host the Chicago Bears on Monday night in Minneapolis.

Minnesota (6-5) already has faced the Bears once this season, earning a 19-13 win in Chicago in Week 6. That fueled a five-game winning streak that finally ended last week when the Denver Broncos handed the Vikings a 21-20 loss.

Now, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell must decide whether to allow his best player — wideout Justin Jefferson — to return from a hamstring injury or to play it safe and keep Jefferson out for this week plus the team’s bye next week. The Athletic reported Thursday that Jefferson is not expected to play.

The 24-year-old Jefferson had 36 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns when he went down in the fifth game of the season.

“We have urgency to win this football game,” O’Connell said. “We’re just not going to allow that to distract us from the fact that we started out with some really strong principles in making sure Justin was at a good place and 100 percent healthy when he returns. … We’re not going to allow any other outside circumstances or even the circumstances of our team to drive that situation in any way, shape or form.”

Questions also surround Chicago (3-8), albeit for different reasons. The Bears are positioned to have a couple high picks in next year’s NFL draft, and they must decide whether Justin Fields is their long-term answer at quarterback or whether they should turn to a top prospect.

Fields, 24, has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in seven games. He also has rushed for 341 yards and a touchdown.

In his last game against the Vikings, Fields sustained a dislocated right thumb that forced him to miss four games. He was 6 of 10 for 58 yards with an interception when he was injured.

“We’re better than what we put on tape that game,” Fields said. “(It’s all about) putting our best foot forward. Making sure we’re on our Ps and Qs each and every play. Locked in and getting the ball out fast when we need to, when they do bring that pressure. It’s going to be key. When they do bring pressure, the O-line picking it up. Everything starts up front.”

Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs also has spent a fair amount of time evading pressure in the pocket since he joined the team in an Oct. 31 trade with the Arizona Cardinals. Dobbs has passed for 647 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in three games with Minnesota, and he has rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

Both teams are dealing with several players on the injury report.

Bears running back D’Onta Foreman (ankle/shin), center Lucas Patrick (back), guard Larry Borom (illness) and linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) all missed the first full practice of the week on Thursday.

The Vikings had three players who were limited in their first practice: Jefferson (hamstring), tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs) and cornerback Akayleb Evans (calf).

One player within range of a statistical milestone is Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore. He needs 111 receiving yards to secure his fourth career 1,000-yard season.

–Field Level Media

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and wide receiver Justin Jefferson could be inclined to take another week to decide his status. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings to be ‘smart’ with WR Justin Jefferson next week

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson remains day-to-day with a hamstring injury and is considered questionable one week before the team returns to the field against the Chicago Bears.

“We do have to be smart,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.

Jefferson returned to practice last week but was 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 on Sunday.

O’Connell said part of the math Minnesota is doing involves the bye week that follows its Week 12 division game with Chicago. The bye provides an extra cushion for any decision on the status of Jefferson, who remains in the 21-day window to return from injured reserve.

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.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) catches a touchdown over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (5) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Courtland Sutton’s late heroics allow Broncos to edge Vikings

Russell Wilson lobbed a go-ahead, 15-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton with 1:03 to go, and the Denver Broncos held on for a 21-20 win over the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.

Sutton leaped for a catch in the back left corner of the end zone and landed with both feet in bounds. It marked the first touchdown for Denver (5-5), which had settled for five field goals before that play.

Wilson completed 27 of 35 passes for 259 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The Broncos won the turnover battle 3-0 and secured their fourth consecutive victory.

Joshua Dobbs completed 20 of 32 passes for 221 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Minnesota (6-5). Dobbs also rushed for a touchdown for the Vikings, whose five-game winning streak ended.

Dobbs relied on his legs to increase the Vikings’ lead to 17-9 with 7:55 to go in the third quarter. After he could not find an open receiver, he saw an opening and sprinted up the middle for a 10-yard score.

The Broncos drew within 17-12 with 12:40 left in the fourth quarter when Wil Lutz made a 37-yard field goal.

Lutz hit again, this time from 28 yards, to cut Denver’s deficit to 17-15 with 10:37 to play. The score was set up by an interception in Vikings territory by Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian.

Minnesota made it 20-15 on a 30-yard field goal by Greg Joseph with 3:17 remaining.

Minnesota led 10-9 at the half.

Denver opened the scoring with a 31-yard field goal by Lutz early in the first quarter.

A 3-yard TD pass from Dobbs to Josh Oliver made it 7-3 for the Vikings with 14:53 left in the second quarter. Dobbs rolled right, evaded pressure and hit Oliver for his second touchdown of the season.

A 34-yard field goal by Joseph pushed the Vikings’ lead to 10-3 with 8:09 left in the second quarter.

Lutz hit back-to-back field goals to cut the deficit to one point at halftime. He made a 31-yarder with 4:08 remaining, then drilled a 52-yarder as time expired before the break.

–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