MN Vikings Get WR1 Back at Practice, Lose WR2

October 7, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Vikings are hoping to come out of the bye next week looking like a new team. That’s when they expect to get running back Jordan Mason off injured reserve.

It also looks like a good time to estimate the return of both C Michael Jurgens and TE Ben Yurosek, who returned to practice on Wednesday and now have 21 days to be added to the active roster.

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But first, they have to get through Week 5 in New Orleans unscathed, both in the win/loss table and on the injury report. Speaking of injury reports, we will get our first official Week 5 injury report this afternoon, after practice.

Justin Jefferson returns to Minnesota Vikings practice

Before practice, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell met with reporters and gave early insight into what we will see when that official report drops later, telling those gathered at TCO Performance Center that both Justin Jefferson and Brian O’Neill will practice today on a limited basis.

Justin Jefferson and Brian O’Neill will be limited in practice today per Kevin O’Connell. https://t.co/VVXkNNHBMx
— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) October 7, 2026

This is Jefferson’s first practice since he sprained his left ankle on his seventh snap of the Sept. 27 win at Tampa Bay. He then sat out practice all last week, before being ruled out on Friday.

O’Neill has been dealing with a knee injury for the past three weeks. He was last listed on the injury report in Week 3, when he was down as Limited on Wednesday, September 23. Hopefully, that’s the same thing we see this week.

On the season, Justin has compiled 13 catches for 179 yards and 2 TDs in three games. Against Green Bay, in the Vikings’ season opener, he caught 8 passes (most from Carson Wentz) for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Without JJ against Miami, Jauan Jennings played 95% of snaps on offense and Tai Felton 59%. TJ Hockenson caught 13 passes for 119 yards (and what could have been a late touchdown).

Kyler Murray played well on Sunday when the protection held up. I'm excited to see what this offense looks like when Justin Jefferson returns. pic.twitter.com/U7tDYwancH
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) October 5, 2026

Christian Darrisaw still out; Jordan Addison not practicing

Darrisaw remains out of practice and still in the concussion protocol. He went down with a neck injury late in the second quarter against Miami, was cleared by the spotter and returned, then left again in the second half with concussion symptoms.

It’d be a surprise if he is available Sunday, especially being he isn’t even on the practice field today. Kyler Murray skipped one game and he was back at practice immediately after suffering his concussion Week 1.

The surprise of the day was what KOC said was “a little hamstring soreness, considered minor,” for Jordan Addison that will keep him from practicing. This will be the first time he graces the injury report this season.

Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw won’t practice today. In concussion protocol. WR Jordan Addison also won’t practice today. HC Kevin O’Connell said that Addison had a little hamstring soreness, considered minor. https://t.co/YDOGMzC08B
Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) October 7, 2026

Addison was WR1 against Miami, where he played 75 of Minnesota’s 78 snaps on offense. On the season, the 24-year-old out of USC has 11 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown, most of which has come the past two games against the Bucs (5-90-1) and Dolphins (4-52).

At this point, given the unknowns surrounding Jefferson and Addison — and addition of Odell Beckham Jr. — who knows what the MN Vikings WR group will look like this weekend in New Orleans. Both JJ and OBJ played at LSU.