Coach - Vikings to start QB who can maximize Justin Jefferson - ESPN

As they welcome All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson back to their active roster, the Minnesota Vikings will spend the next few days deciding which of their three quarterbacks is — among other things — best suited to maximize Jefferson's skills, coach Kevin O'Connell said Tuesday.

Kirk Cousins was the Vikings' starter when Jefferson originally injured his right hamstring in Week 4. Since then, however, Cousins has suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, backup Nick Mullens has injured his lower back and No. 3 quarterback Jaren Hall has suffered a concussion. Newcomer Josh Dobbs has played the majority of the Vikings' past four games, but after leading them to victories in his first two, Dobbs has committed six turnovers in consecutive losses.

After Dobbs threw four interceptions Monday night in a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, O'Connell said he would use the team's upcoming bye to reevaluate his options at the position. On Tuesday, he said Jefferson's return is «definitely a part» of the discussion he'll have with his coaching staff and the team's front office before choosing a starter for the Vikings' Dec. 10 game at the Las Vegas Raiders. Both Mullens and Hall are now healthy and were in uniform Monday night.

«Justin's role in our offense, really from Day 1 since we arrived here, has always been very, very significant,» O'Connell said. "… Anytime you can infuse the best receiver in football back into your offense, there's going to be ways to not only get Justin going and make sure he has a critical impact on the football game… [and] the quarterback position absolutely plays into that.

«We're going to make sure that whoever is playing quarterback is aware and understands the intent behind plays where either Justin is