Major Update On Justin Jefferson's Status Before Return

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was a full participant in practice Wednesday (December 6) for the first time since his hamstring injury in October ahead of his expected return in Week 14, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.

"For the first time since his hamstring injury in Week 5, #Vikings All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson was a full participant in practice today. He’s set to return Sunday at Las Vegas," Pelissero wrote on his X account Wednesday (December 6).

Last week, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Vikings would activate Jefferson from injured reserve and planned to play him following their bye week.

"The #Vikings are activating WR Justin Jefferson from Injured Reserve today, and he'll play after the bye," Rapoport wrote on his X account.

The Vikings will resume action against the Las Vegas Raiders on December 10. Jefferson, 24, was reported to be "very close" to returning, but the Vikings decided to sit him out for their November 27 loss to the Chicago Bears, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported hours before the game.

Last month, Jefferson fired back at fantasy football owners who he claimed were trying to persuade him to return from injury sooner than necessary.

"My health is wayyyy more important than you winning your fantasy games. It doesn’t matter how many times y’all flood my dms talking about me selling your team. I DONT CARE," Jefferson wrote on his X account on November 21 before shutting down the account.

Jefferson was placed on injured reserve on October 11 due to a hamstring injury suffered in the team's October 8 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, which ruled him out for four consecutive games in adherence with league rules. The Louisiana native returned to practice earlier this month, but has missed two additional games since coming off injured reserve.

Jefferson recorded three receptions for 28 yards prior to exiting the October 8 game and had 36 receptions for 571 yards and three touchdowns through his first five games of the 2023 NFL season. The Vikings won their next five games prior to a 21-20 'Sunday Night Football' loss to the Denver Broncos and 'Monday Night Football' loss to the Bears.