Jefferson brought in five of seven targets for 75 yards in the Vikings' 48-10 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The Vikings obviously didn't need to do much through the air after a certain point in the lopsided victory, but Jefferson managed to still put together a respectable fantasy day. The perennial Pro Bowler tied T.J. Hockenson for the team lead in receptions while also setting the pace in receiving yards and targets and working with Carson Wentz as his quarterback. Jefferson has yet to eclipse the 100-yard mark through three games this season, but he's accrued an impressive 8-156-0 line over the last pair of contests heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Steelers in Ireland next Sunday.

Jefferson finished with three receptions on six targets for 81 yards in Sunday's 22-6 loss to the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

Jefferson was able to rip off a huge 50-yard gain on Atlanta's defense, but he was otherwise held in check Sunday. QB J.J. McCarthy completed just 11 passes for 158 yards in the ugly loss, with his top wideout accounting for nearly half of his total production. Jefferson has gotten off to a slower start in 2025 with McCarthy (7-125-1) under center compared to the two-week sample we saw with 2024 starter Sam Darnold (8-192-2). Even with the slight drop-off in production, Jefferson remains an unquestioned fantasy WR1 heading into a Week 3 matchup against Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals next Sunday.

Jefferson secured four of seven targets for 44 yards and a touchdown and rushed once for four yards in the Vikings' 27-24 win over the Bears on Monday night.

EDGE Analysis

Like the rest of the Vikings offense, Jefferson had a mostly forgettable first three quarters. However, the star wideout eventually finished with team-high reception and target totals, and he recorded his first touchdown from J.J. McCarthy on a 13-yard grab early in the fourth quarter. Jefferson should naturally serve as McCarthy's top target as the season unfolds, and it was clear the second-year signal-caller was still getting acclimated to the NFL game in a tough road environment Monday night after a knee injury wiped out his entire 2024 rookie campaign. Jefferson will be in what should be more favorable conditions for strong production when the Vikings get a visit from the Falcons for a Week 2 home matchup on Sunday night.

Jefferson (hamstring) wasn't listed on the Vikings' initial Week 1 injury report Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Jefferson suffered a mild left hamstring strain in practice July 24, and while he was able to begin working out on the side with team trainers within one week, he didn't return to the practice field until Aug. 18. The Vikings kept him out of all three of their preseason games with an eye toward him being healthy Week 1. He more or less confirmed as much Thursday, telling Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune that his hamstring feels great entering the season. "Missing the whole training camp and just staying in that training room definitely gets [to be] dark days, being by yourself and competing with yourself, but you got to think about the ending result: having a healthy body, having a strong body to maintain a full season," Jefferson said. He thus is poised to serve as the Vikings' top target for second-year pro and first-year starting QB J.J. McCarthy on Monday in Chicago and beyond.

Jefferson (hamstring) will begin practicing, head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jefferson has been sidelined since late July by what has been described as a mild left hamstring strain, but the star wide receiver is ready to start ramping up his activity level. Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, Jefferson will participate in part of Monday's practice. Though Jefferson hasn't yet been cleared to participate in team drills without limitations, this development nonetheless is a step in the right direction. Jefferson's goal is to be ready for Week 1 against the Bears on Monday, Sept. 8, but he's unlikely to suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Titans.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Jefferson (hamstring) is "definitely progressing" but won't be re-evaluated to potentially practice until next week, ruling him out for Saturday's preseason game against the Patriots, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Minnesota continues to take a cautious approach to the star wide receiver's recovery from a hamstring injury, but O'Connell said the hope is for Jefferson to begin ramping up his workload next week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. He'll be limited to walk-throughs during joint practices with New England, for the time being. It remains to be seen whether Jefferson could have a chance to suit up for the Vikings' preseason finale against Tennessee on Friday, Aug. 22. With Jordan Addison (suspension) out the first three games of the regular season, it's increasingly crucial for J.J. McCarthy and company that Jefferson is available Week 1.

Jefferson (hamstring) is not slated to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

No surprise here, given that Jefferson is managing a mild left hamstring strain that he sustained July 24. It remains to be seen if the wideout is a candidate to play in the Vikings' Aug. 16 preseason contest against the Patriots, but there's little incentive for him to be rushed back into game action, with his Week 1 availability remaining the priority here.

Jefferson (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Vikings continue to take a cautious approach with Jefferson as he recovers from the mild left hamstring strain that he sustained July 24. As recently as last Friday, though, he was spotted working out with trainers on a side field, indicating he at least has made some progress. Whether or not Jefferson makes an appearance in the preseason may be contingent on second-year QB J.J. McCarthy getting into another exhibition beyond this Saturday's matchup with the Texans. Ultimately, ensuring Jefferson is healthy by Week 1 is Minnesota's primary priority.

Jefferson (hamstring) was working with team trainers on the side at the start of Friday's practice, Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jefferson has been sidelined since last Friday, when he initially was reported to be dealing with a mild left hamstring strain. Coach Kevin O'Connell told Emily Leiker of The Minneapolis Star Tribune on Tuesday that Jefferson's rehab was "going really well. Already progressing." Now that Jefferson appears to be ramping up his activity level further, a return to practice itself could occur in the not-too-distant future.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said Tuesday that the Vikings have "zero worry" about Jefferson's (hamstring) availability for a Week 1 road matchup with the Bears on Monday, Sept. 8, Emily Leiker of The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jefferson came out of last Thursday's practice with what was later termed a mild left hamstring strain. In the meantime, he's sat out on-field work but still has been present at all but one session on the schedule, coaching up fellow wide receivers on reps, good and bad. "Rehab's going really well," O'Connell noted. "Already progressing. Could end up being a blessing in disguise in a lot of ways, where Justin's mentally preparing and engaging with his teammates. He's totally and completely present every single day." Minnesota understandably will take a cautious approach with its top skill-position talent on the roster, but it'll be interesting to see if Jefferson and second-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy log some preseason action together ahead of the regular season.