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 wide receiver Justin Jefferson is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury and will undergo testing after four weeks to help determine when he can return.

Jefferson was placed on injured reserve this week, putting him out at least four weeks anyway. Hamstring injuries are always tricky. The earliest he can return would be Week 10 against the Saints. Minnesota does not have their bye until Week 13. With Jefferson out, Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn are both solid WR2/flex options, especially this week against the Bears.

Vikings officially have placed WR Justin Jefferson on IR.

Related players: Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Nailor, T.J. Hockenson, Alexander Mattison

The prevailing thought is that Jefferson may have a hard time finding the field again in 2023, particularly if the Vikings show no interest in trading him, which is a distinct possibility. It'll be hard to drop him, so hopefully you have an IR spot in your league.

The #Vikings are placing their superstar WR Justin Jefferson on injured reserve.

Related players: Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Nailor, T.J. Hockenson, Alexander Mattison

The exact timetable is to be determined and depends on how he responds to treatment, according to Pelissero, but he's going to miss at least the next four games. It's a huge loss for the Vikings who have struggled to start the season, and it's a huge loss for fantasy owners who likely drafted Jefferson first overall this summer. Pelissero mentioned the Vikings will now lean on players like Addison, Osborn and Hockenson in the passing game, and Mattison could be more involved as well out of the backfield.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is dealing with a hamstring injury.

There isn't much else known at this point and the Vikings say it's a little too early for any kind of possible timeline, Rapoport said. Jefferson is scheduled for tests on Monday. Obviously any missed time is crushing to the Vikings offense as well as Jefferson's fantasy owners, so this will need to be monitored over the next few of days.

The Vikings are exercising the fifth-year option on All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson was Minnesota's 2020 first-round pick and has made the Pro Bowl in all three years of his career.

General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell have each expressed interest in locking the wide receiver into a long-term deal, so that may be the next step here. If the Vikings were to make a move at quarterback in the near future, their next signal-caller would be in good hands with a stud WR1.

Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson, who’s been listed as limited this week with a toe injury, is in good spirits and moving well during the portion of practice open to reporters.

OLB Za’Darius Smith (knee), LT Christian Darrisaw (concussion) are also here. No DT Dalvin Tomlinson (calf).

Good news for Jefferson, who is putting together a monster of a season. Looks like full-speed ahead for Week 11, where he is ranked as 4for4's WR2.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson was limited in practice today due to a toe injury.

It's worth nothing just because it's Jefferson. Hopefully this was just a case of giving him a light day after a busy Week 10 against the Bills, but definitely keep an eye on his practice status over the next two days.

Look for the Vikings to continue tinkering with their scheme to spring Justin Jefferson in the coming weeks. "I have to do a better job," O'Connell said, "of giving Justin different aspects of lining up in different spots, different personnel groupings, whatever I need to do to help him."

Jefferson's fantasy production has taken a hit the past two weeks as the Eagles and Lions made sure to take him out of the game with double teams. The good news is the Vikings are working on ways to counter what defenses have been doing to Jefferson.