Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 5

Vikings’ WR Justin Jefferson — who has missed the past four games due to a hamstring injury — said he can’t yet put a date on when he might return. He said he wants to be 100 percent before he returns, but also still calls himself day to day.

Related Players: Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Trishton Jackson, Brandon Powell

Getting Jefferson back in the lineup ahead of the fantasy playoffs would be incredible for managers who have had him idling in their IR spot. Regardless of quarterback, JJ will have to be in fantasy lineups on a Vikings team that is still eligible for a playoff berth in real football.

The practice window for Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson is being opened this week, sources say, as he now has 21 days to be activated. This does not mean he’ll play this week. But he’s on his way back from the hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve.

Related Players: Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Trishton Jackson, Brandon Powell

Getting Jefferson back in the lineup ahead of the fantasy playoffs would be incredible for managers who have had him idling in their IR spot. Regardless of quarterback, JJ will have to be in fantasy lineups on a Vikings team that is still eligible for a playoff berth in real football.

Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson is eligible to come off of injured reserve after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury.

But the early word this week is that Jefferson isn’t quite ready yet.

Even if Jefferson is unlikely to play, the Vikings could designate Jefferson to return and begin his 21-day practice window to start getting him re-acclimated. But if Jefferson is not ready for that, he can stay on injured reserve, the story went on to say. We reported Monday how the Vikings were working through their options, and while not a lot more is new, it at least appears owners won't have Jefferson in Week 10.

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is eligible to come off of injured reserve this week.

But as of Monday, it’s unclear whether or not Minnesota will open his 21-day practice window.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters during his press conference that the club is still working through the options with Jefferson. The story went on to quote him as saying: “We’re going to do what’s best for Justin, and make sure when he does return, he can be the Justin Jefferson we all know and can expect to see,” O’Connell said, via Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune. The good news for the Vikings and Jefferson fantasy owners is the team has climbed to 5-4 on the season, and with Joshua Dobbs at QB the team should continue to at least remain in the playoff hunt. That should mean the team will get Jefferson on the field again when the time is right.

Vikings running back Cam Akers will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon.

That was believed to be the case as soon as Akers went down on Sunday, and it was confirmed by an MRI today, coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed today.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

This is the second time Akers has torn his Achilles. He previously tore it in July of 2021 when he was with the Rams and made a remarkably quick recovery, getting back on the field for the final game of the regular season. But even if he can repeat that remarkably quick recovery this time, he won’t be at full speed until April, the story said. Akers was cutting into Mattison's time since getting up to speed after being traded. The RB2 job would seem to go back to Chandler, although the Vikings, sitting at 5-4, may very well bring in another back.

The Vikings didn’t plan on playing quarterback Joshua Dobbs in Week 9, but they are planning on having him make the start in Week 10.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell made that announcement at a Monday press conference.

Related players: Jaren Hall

Dobbs entered Sunday’s game against the Falcons in the first quarter after Jaren Hall left with an injury and he piloted an improbably comeback win five days after joining the Vikings in a trade with the Cardinals, the story said. Hall was diagnosed with a concussion and may not be available.

The Vikings are trading for Cardinals QB Joshua Dobbs.

Related players: Jaren Hall, Nick Mullens

This trade suddenly makes a lot of sense since the Cards announced Monday they were going with a QB change in Week 9. Dobbs had started all year to this point for the Cardinals, and at the very least he's insurance for the Vikings. It's been reported Hall will get the start for the Vikings in Week 9, but look for Dobbs to perhaps get on the field in Week 10.

The expected news has come from the Vikings.

An MRI has confirmed that quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles on Sunday, Minnesota announced on Monday.

Related players: Jaren Hall, Sean Mannion, Nick Mullens

The team noted that the timeline and details of Cousins’ upcoming surgery will be determined this week. The Vikings have the rookie Hall on their active roster at quarterback and Mannion on the practice squad. Mullens is on injured reserve and has to miss at least one more game before a potential return. Suddenly sitting at 4-4, it's possible the Vikings bring in another QB.

49ers QB Brock Purdy (concussion) is present and participating during early open portion of practice.

Related Players: Sam Darnold

Purdy is for sure not still in the clear to start in Week 8, but a Thursday practice swings the probability positively. Players in the confusion protocol have been historically unlikely to play the following week, but it's still in the cards. Friday's practice should give us more insight.

Potentially significant: 49ers QB Brock Purdy is in the NFL's concussion protocol, coach Kyle Shanahan tells reporters.

Related Players: Sam Darnold, Brandon Allen

Shanahan has repeatedly gotten the most out of his quarterbacks, making just about anyone that starts a full game at least worth considering. In deep leagues —particularly Superflex Dynasty leagues— it's worth checking if Darnold is sitting on your waiver wires.