Justin Jefferson unsure for MNF as injury 'frustrating' to WR - ESPN

EAGAN, Minn. — It's not about his contract. Nor is it because he is trying to punish fantasy football managers who drafted him this season.

The only reason Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has missed six games because of a strained right hamstring, he said Friday, is that it's not fully healed.

As he continued his third week of practice since the Vikings opened his window to return from injured reserve, Jefferson said he isn't sure whether he will play Monday night against the Chicago Bears. And he is as upset about it as the thousands of people who have messaged him over the past month on social media.

«If I miss this one, it's going to be the seventh game,» Jefferson said, «so it's definitely frustrating, and it's tough to be patient and try to make sure that an injury heals properly. It's definitely not something I want to do, but it comes with the game, it comes with trying to be healthy, trying to be 100% and [following] the safe route.»

Jefferson said his recovery has ramped up to the point that he has run some practice routes at full speed.

Asked whether he thought he would play Monday night, Jefferson said: «I'm not sure. We'll see. We still have more days to practice and really evaluate everything. We're going to weigh the options correctly, making sure that I'm feeling well and prepared to play a game, and if I'm feeling good, I will play.»

Jefferson suffered the injury Oct. 8, and the Vikings placed him on injured reserve two days later. His 21-day practice window began Nov. 8, and he must be activated by Nov. 29 or he will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

He is expected to return at some point, but Jefferson and the team long ago agreed on a methodical pace with a goal of