Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 5

WR K.J. Osborn (concussion protocol) practiced again today, meaning he participated in at least a portion of every on-field activity this week. Regardless of his game status for Sunday, it has been great to see him up and about so quickly after such a scary moment in ATL.

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

Osborn has been a quiet contributor this season, but still not quite enough to get him into fantasy rosters. For mid-summer best ball drafters, he has popped up for two single-touchdown games and a fantastic 8-99-0 stat line on 10 targets back in Week 8. His return would help solidify a floor for Joshua Dobbs.

T.J Hockenson is definitely still affected by his rib/oblique injury but says he is pretty sure he’ll play Sunday. “That’s the plan,” he said.

Related Players: Johnny Mundt, Josh Oliver

Mundt and Oliver have combined for 15 receptions this year, though Oliver would be the more likely option to take over pass-catching duties if Hockenson misses. Regardless, he shouldn't be in fantasy consideration for typical redraft leagues.

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.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters after Sunday's win over the Falcons that running back Cam Akers suffered an Achilles injury.

Another such injury for Akers, who made a miraculous recovery two years ago from a July Achilles injury to return at the end of the season and participate in the playoffs. Akers was actually the emergency quarterback behind Josh Dobbs after the injury to starting quarterback Jaren Hall. Based on what we've seen from him and Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Akers should be good for the start of next season, but two Achilles tears is certainly a big concern going forward.

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.