The Vikings are leaving the door ajar for Justin Jefferson’s return as the focus shifts toward the Week 5 game down in New Orleans.
Minnesota’s WR1 happens to know the area well due to calling the state home. He then did some excellent work for LSU before turning pro via the No. 22 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Consider what head coach Kevin O’Connell had to say on Jefferson possibly coming back yesterday: “I know he made great progress last week. We’re going to be, we’re going to allow that to be a medical thing.”
O’Connell then proclaimed himself “open minded” and eager to defer to the medical experts for whether Jefferson will go in Week 5.
Vikings are Leaving Door Ajar for Justin Jefferson Return
Going into Week 5, Jefferson is sitting atop 13 catches for 179 yards and 2 scores. Not great. Or, at least, not by his standards.
The veteran hasn’t had the easiest start to his season. Already, quarterback turbulence has arrived for the Minnesota Vikings. Kyler Murray has missed some time and then Carson Wentz had to navigate that Windy City rainstorm. So, the modest numbers aren’t totally without explanation.
Another part of what’s hindering Minnesota is the accumulation of injury.
Most notably, LG1 Donovan Jackson is now lost for the season due to a torn meniscus. TE2 Josh Oliver is done for the season, too, due to a biceps tear from a week ago. RB2 Jordan Mason is still working back from injury and LT1 Christian Darrisaw is now in the concussion protocol.
So, these absences add up, especially since they’re all on the same side of the ball.
Getting Justin Jefferson back has the potential to impact everything. Such is the result of boasting an elite talent at a premium position.
Everybody can look better with Jefferson doing what Jefferson does. He regularly demands double teams and yet still finds a way to make a play with regularity. The play caller therefore has an easier life and so does the quarterback. Better yet, the other pass catchers find more room out there since the defensive backfield is so focused on #18.
The Saints are an ascending team. Do note, though, that the 1-2 New Orleans team is sitting atop the 28th overall defense by allowing an average of 27.7 points against per game going into Monday Night Football. Gone are the days of Marshon Lattimore making life difficult for the other team’s WR1, meaning the Vikings’ receivers should find some room out there.
Justin Jefferson, 27, is a powder keg. Seeing the quarterback able to generate some sparks means an explosion is soon to take place if he’s healthy enough to get out there in Week 5.