Should Justin Jefferson play on Monday night? The answer is obvious

Justin Jefferson, who hasn't played since Week 5, is listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears.

It has been almost two months since All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson has appeared in a game for the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a hamstring injury back in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

This week, Jefferson is, once again, listed as questionable on Minnesota's final injury report, and no one is really sure yet if he's going to take the field on Monday night against the Chicago Bears.

But with the Vikings having a bye after they take on the Bears, shouldn't they just give their top wide receiver another week to rest before they return for a push toward the playoffs?

Why the Minnesota Vikings should rest Justin Jefferson against the Chicago Bears on Monday

Since Jefferson was sidelined with his hamstring injury in Week 5, Minnesota has won five of their six games without him on the field, and they have inserted themselves back into the NFC playoff picture.

So, the Vikings have already proven multiple times that they can win games without their No. 1 wide receiver on the field. This isn't to say that Minnesota wouldn't love to have him back in the starting lineup, because they would.

But would the Vikings rather have Jefferson available for a game on Monday night against a 3-8 Chicago team, or would they be better off letting him rest for another two weeks before they return from their bye for the final five games on their schedule?

Minnesota should be able to defeat the Bears on Monday night without Jefferson, and despite how badly it sounds like the receiver wants to get back out on the field, the Vikings should keep him on the sidelines until they return from their bye in Week 14.