Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson broke fantasy football manager’s hearts when he was placed on the IR during the 2023 season. As we head into the second half of the fantasy season, what is the latest injury update for Jefferson, when could he return, and what fantasy value does he carry in 2023?
Latest Injury Update for Justin Jefferson
Since Jefferson was placed on the IR ahead of Week 6, there has been little in the way of a fresh injury update. However, this is nothing to worry about as players on the IR are not usually discussed by teams and head coaches until around the time they are eligible to return to practice.
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The last we heard about Jefferson was that his current injury is expected to keep him out for four to six weeks, which fits with the timetable of a player being placed on the IR. Ahead of Week 6, a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated that the Vikings will test Jefferson’s hamstring once he is eligible to return.
The initial diagnosis of four to six weeks would fit with that report, and we should hear more about Jefferson’s injury over the next couple of weeks. Most likely, head coach Kevin O’Connell will not address his injury in any detail until after Week 9. However, we may get another report from ESPN or NFL insiders ahead of that.
When Will Jefferson Return?
The earliest that Jefferson is eligible to return is Week 10, when the Vikings face the Indianapolis Colts. Jefferson was placed on the IR ahead of Week 6, meaning that entering Week 8, he has missed two games and must miss a minimum of two more. However, as the reports above state, there is no guarantee Jefferson returns as soon as he is eligible.
The Vikings have a bye in Week 12, so they could decide that caution is the best idea with Jefferson’s injured hamstring. If they let him sit through the bye week, his expected return date would be Week 13.
That decision-making process could depend on the Vikings fare on the field in Weeks 8 and 9. Their surprise victory over the San Francisco 49ers has seen them climb back to 3-4 and back into a wildcard spot in the NFC. Depending on how they fare in the next two weeks, the Vikings may risk their star WR in Week 10 even if he is not 100 percent.
What Is Jefferson’s Fantasy Value?
Jefferson’s fantasy value for the rest of the season is intriguing because of the uncertainty over when he may return. Whether you have IR spots or not on your roster, there is never a question over whether you should stash the Vikings WR while awaiting his return.
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How you value Jefferson in the next couple of weeks depends on your situation. If you are sitting pretty in the hunt for the fantasy football playoffs, chances are you are happy to ride out the rest of the path to his return. However, if you are fighting for your fantasy life, then consider trading him away.
Jefferson would still command a pretty significant haul in trades. In PFN’s Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Jefferson could be traded straight up for Jakobi Meyers or Garrett Wilson. At the RB position, fantasy managers could target an option like Jahmyr Gibbs or Alexander Mattison, who could help them in Week 8.
When we consider Jefferson’s value, he is in the same region as other players on the IR, such as De’Von Achane, James Conner, and Kyren Williams. The only reason Jefferson is not higher is the uncertainty over when he will return between Weeks 10 and 13. If we knew he was just two weeks away from returning, Jefferson would command a much higher price in trades right now.
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