Justin Jefferson Injury Update: Vikings Superstar Hints at Surprise Week 8 Return

Justin Jefferson injury update: Minnesota’s All-Pro wideout is officially active for tonight’s Week 8 showdown between the Vikings (3-3) and Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) at SoFi Stadium, clearing the final injury report without limitation. Why it matters • Jefferson missed two practices last week with hamstring tightness but logged full sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, convincing coaches he’s ready for a normal snap load. • The Vikings offense averages 28.7 points per game when Jefferson plays at least 50 snaps and just 19.4 when he’s sidelined since 2022. • Quarterback Carson Wentz, making his second Minnesota start, targeted Jefferson 12 times in Week 7; expect another double-digit total in a plus matchup against the NFL’s 27th-ranked pass defense. Fantasy football outlook • Start with confidence: Pro Football Network projects Jefferson for 7-99-1 (19.9 PPR points), ranking him as the overall WR1 for Week 8. • DFS pivot: His salary on most sites lags behind only Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb, but Jefferson’s ceiling is higher thanks to a 34% target share over the past three games. • Betting nugget: Jefferson has cleared 90 receiving yards in five of his last seven prime-time appearances; the current receiving-yards prop (o/u 92.5) sits below that average. What Jefferson’s return unlocks for Minnesota 1. Slot/deep mix – OC Kevin O’Connell moved Jefferson inside on 31% of snaps last week after a season-low 20% in Weeks 1-6, forcing safeties to declare coverage early. 2. Vertical stress – Jefferson’s 16.5-yard aDOT since Week 5 is a career high; look for more play-action shots against a Chargers secondary surrendering 8.1 YPA. 3. Red-zone spacing – Jordan Addison owns four TDs when Jefferson is bracketed; expect LA to devote safety help, freeing Addison and T.J. Hockenson underneath. Milestones within reach tonight • 5,500 career receiving yards (needs 78). • Ninth 200-yard game would break the NFL record he currently shares with Calvin Johnson and Tyreek Hill (8). • First player in league history with 100+ receiving yards in 40 of his first 60 regular-season games (currently at 39). How to watch Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday Night Football (Amazon Prime) Weather: Indoor stadium; roof closed, no wind concerns. Live stream: Prime Video, NFL+ (mobile) Bottom line With a clean bill of health, Justin Jefferson is poised to remind prime-time audiences why he remains the league’s most uncoverable receiver. Fantasy managers should lock him into lineups, bettors can target his yardage over, and the Vikings will lean on “JJettas” to stay in the NFC playoff race tonight in Los Angeles.