Vikings' Justin Jefferson on Status vs. Bears amid Injury: 'I'm Not Sure. We'll See'

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson did not give a definitive answer as to his availability Monday against the Chicago Bears.

"I'm not sure. We'll see," Jefferson said Friday, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "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 said he has returned to running at full speed during practice.

The All-Pro wide receiver has missed six consecutive games since suffering a right hamstring injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5. He hauled in 36 passes for 571 receiving yards and three touchdowns in five starts prior to his injury.

Jefferson has been practicing in a limited capacity since November 8. If he does not return to the active roster by November 29, the Vikings will be forced to place him back on the injured reserve list for the rest of the season.

If Jefferson sits out Monday but is activated before the Wednesday deadline, he won't play until December 10 on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders due to the team's upcoming bye week.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in September that despite Jefferson's desire to sign an extension in Minnesota before the start of the 2023 season, the team will wait until the end of the campaign to consider the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year's next contract.

After the Vikings picked up a $19.7 million fifth-year option for 2024, Jefferson is currently set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

Jefferson was asked about this conflict potentially impacting his return to the active roster, per Seifert.

"I know my position," Jefferson responded. "I know what I'm doing. And I know it's not for the contract. It's not for the contract at all."

Jefferson has previously expressed frustration about criticisms of his delayed return to the field on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"My health is wayyyy more important than you winning your fantasy games," Jefferson wrote earlier this week, prior to deleting his account. "It doesn't matter how many times y'all flood my dms talking about me selling your team. I DONT CARE."

In Jefferson's absence, rookie Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson have stepped up to help the Vikings rank as one of the best passing teams in the NFL, but the return of an All-Pro receiver who led the league in receiving yards last year could help give the 6-5 Vikings a boost heading into the playoffs.