The Minnesota Vikings hope Justin Jefferson can return from his ankle injury in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, giving Minnesota a realistic shot at getting its best offensive player back before the Week 6 bye.
Jefferson has already been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins after missing practice this week. Minnesota's decision to sit him fits the case for protecting Jefferson against Miami rather than pushing an injured superstar into a game the 3-0 Vikings should be able to handle without him.
It's encouraging that this injury doesn't seem to be developing into an extended absence. Jefferson, 27, injured his ankle on his seventh offensive snap against Tampa Bay and finished with two catches for 32 yards. Kevin O'Connell described him as day-to-day earlier this week and said Minnesota wouldn't rush him back before he could play like himself, according to the Vikings' official injury update.
Minnesota Vikings could get Justin Jefferson back for a perfect homecoming vs. New Orleans Saints
Fowler reported Saturday that the Vikings are leaving open the possibility of Jefferson facing New Orleans because "it's not a long-term issue," with Minnesota hoping to continue his rehab this weekend and get him back onto the practice field next week.
-How Rams managed Puka’s injury
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 3, 2026
-Mike Evans trying to play through pain
-Vikings hopeful for Jefferson next week pic.twitter.com/q7iWzkHPHp
Jefferson's an ultimate pro. He doesn't need a full week of padded work to remind anybody who he is, but getting him back on the field would be the first tangible sign that Week 5 is more than an optimistic target.
New Orleans would be a fitting place for No. 18 to return.
Jefferson grew up in Louisiana, played at Destrehan High School, and starred at LSU before Minnesota drafted him in 2020. He finished his college career with 2,415 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
Minnesota still has to be disciplined here. The Vikings visit New Orleans on October 11, then immediately hit their Week 6 bye. If Jefferson returns to practice and his ankle responds well, turning him loose against the Saints makes plenty of sense. If he's still limited late next week, the calendar gives Minnesota a rare chance to buy another two weeks of recovery before hosting Indianapolis in Week 7.
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