Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 7

Vikings’ WR Justin Jefferson told reporters that he will play Saturday in Cincinnati.

Related Players: Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell

Jefferson didn't last very long last week, but he did earn three targets on only eight routes. If he is good to go, it's going to be next to impossible to keep him on your bench, particularly with a great matchup against the Bengals.

The Vikings are officially turning to Nick Mullens.

Related players: Joshua Dobbs

Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters in his Tuesday press conference that Mullens will start against the Bengals on Saturday afternoon. Mullens came in to finish Sunday’s 3-0 victory in Week 14, completing 9-of-13 passes for 83 yards as he led them on the drive that produced the only points of the game. The Vikings had also traded for Mullens, wanting a better backup for Kirk Cousins. Mullens recently came off IR but the team had already traded for Dobbs, who started his Viking career off hot but has since struggled. Mullens and the Vikings could also have Justin Jefferson for this week's game, which would give the QB a huge boost.

The Vikings made a quarterback change during Sunday’s 3-0 win over the Raiders, but they haven’t made a call on who will be under center against the Bengals in Week 15.

That was the message from head coach Kevin O’Connell at Monday’s press conference. O’Connell said that the team will decide between Nick Mullens and Josh Dobbs later this week.

Mullens replaced Dobbs in the fourth quarter against the Raiders and drove the team to their only points of the day. He was 9-of-13 for 83 yards while Dobbs was 10-of-23 for 63 yards in his fourth start since being acquired in a trade with the Cardinals, the story said. The Vikings are in a wild card spot and still have a chance to win the division if things break their way.

Vikings’ HC Kevin O'Connell considers WR Justin Jefferson day-to-day with the chest injury he suffered Sunday vs. the Raiders.

It was frustrating for owners who couldn't wait to get Jefferson back in their lineups in Week 14. The good news is the team believes he has a chance to play in Week 15. Hopefully the loss of Jefferson this past week didn't cost his owners a playoff berth. The Vikings play the first game of Saturday's slate, so owners will have plenty of notice about Jefferson's status.

Alexander Mattison was on his way to his best game of the season (10 carries, 66 yards), but an ankle injury ended his day midway through the third quarter.

Related players: Ty Chandler

The story said there were no immediate updates on his status other than he had a "sprained ankle." Minnesota plays on Saturday in Week 15 so the timing is certainly not great here. If Mattison can't go, Chandler would likely see a bulk of the work and could be a decent play in a pinch.

The Packers are set to play another game without running back Aaron Jones.

Jones was limited in practice all week because of the knee injury that has kept him out of the team’s last two games and he was listed as questionable on Saturday. Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that Jones is not expected to play against the Giants on Monday night, however.

Related players: A.J. Dillon, Patrick Taylor, Kenyan Drake

If Jones is out, it will be the sixth game he's missed due to injuries this season, the story pointed out. Dillon has served as the lead back in Jones’ absence from the lineup and would continue in that role with Taylor as the No. 2. The Packers could also elevate Drake from the practice squad for further backfield depth, the story went on to say.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson left Sunday's game against the Raiders with a chest injury.

Jefferson just can't catch a break this season. He had just returned after missing almost two months with a hamstring injury. He took a shot early in the first half and grabbed at his side and was slow to get up. He left the game and was initially ruled questionable to return. He is now done for the day. Jefferson caught two passes for 27 yards. It's been a very unlucky season for Jefferson and for those who drafted him very high, especially at No. 1, this summer.

Packers WR Christian Watson (hamstring) was ruled out for Monday night against the Giants while RB Aaron Jones (knee) is questionable.

Watson's hamstring issues rear their ugly head again this season after Watson missed the first three games of the season with a hamstring injury. Watson was on quite a roll with four touchdowns in the last three weeks, helping the Packers to three straight win -- including last week's upset of the Chiefs -- to get the Packers to 6-6 and inside the playoff picture with five weeks left. His absence will certainly open up more opportunities for Jayden Reed (40-513-5) and Romeo Doubs (45-505-7).

Jones was able to practice all week. Even in a limited fashion, it was a good step for Jones after missing the last two games with a knee injury. We'll see how the Packers want to work him with AJ Dillon not as effective and the Packers now very much in the playoff picture.

Vikings All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson is officially off the injury report and set to make his return Sunday at Las Vegas.

Related Players: Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, T.J. Hockenson

With a clean bill of health, Jefferson should be considered a WR1 for fantasy once again. He should be started everywhere.

For the first time since his hamstring injury, Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson was a full participant today at practice. He'll play on Sunday.

Related Players: Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn

Addison will fall back into FLEX considerations with Jefferson back, but could still produce, depending on how often the Vikings ask Joshua Dobbs to sling it around. Jefferson has to be back in WR1 conversations as one of the best route runners in the NFL.