Vikings designate star wide receiver Justin Jefferson for return from injured reserve

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings designated wide receiver Justin Jefferson for return from injured reserve Wednesday, bringing the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year back to practice with three weeks to assess the readiness of his strained right hamstring for game action. But we’re going to take it a day at a time and ultimately do what’s best for Justin and his long-term future here with us.” The Vikings could keep Jefferson out for three more games and wait until after their Week 13 bye to activate him. “I do think Justin is on a good timeline, considering the outlook on this thing when we first kind of had this happen.” Jefferson was hurt on Oct. 8 while running a route in the fourth quarter of a loss to Kansas City, when he slipped on the U.S. Bank Stadium turf as he was trying to make a cut for a third-down pass from Kirk Cousins. The Vikings also placed running back Cam Akers on injured reserve Wednesday after he tore his left Achilles tendon in the game against the Falcons.