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For the second week in a row, Justin Jefferson is officially questionable. And for the second week in a row, we still don’t know whether or not he’ll play. The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver is making his way back from a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve.
The team made him inactive ahead of last week’s game, despite the questionable tag heading into it. And we’re on pins and needles to know whether or not they’ll do the same this Sunday for a primetime game against the Denver Broncos. Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t give a definitive answer this week, but he did make it sound like the team was leaning on keeping Jefferson out one more week.
Justin Jefferson injury
Fantasy football analysis
Jefferson’s one of the top wide receivers in fantasy football when he’s healthy. He was probably the first wideout off the board in your fantasy draft this year, but he’s been out of commission since Week 5, after getting off to a big start to the season.
He rattled off three games with around 150 yards each to start the season, totaling 571 yards and three touchdowns before his injury. Obviously, that was with Kirk Cousins under center, but a receiver like Jefferson shouldn’t be dependent on the quarterback.
NFL DFS analysis
You can add Jefferson to your roster this week for $8,900, and if he’s active, he’s worth starting, despite it being his first game back with a new signal caller.
I would probably err on the side of caution, and limit my exposure to Jefferson in fantasy lineups this week, given that the Vikings are making it sound like Jefferson needs another week.
Without Jefferson, Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson will be the primary pass catchers for Minnesota. Hockenson is an easy pick for TE1 and Addision is a solid choice for WR2 this week.
Betting analysis
The Broncos are two-point favorites, but if Jefferson were to play, the line would have to move to the Vikings’ favor. I’d also hit the over of 42.5 if Jefferson can get back in action.