Vikings consider bringing Jefferson back for Bears on Monday night.
The Minnesota Vikings will look to complete a season sweep of a division rival when they play the Chicago Bears on Monday night in Minneapolis.
Minnesota (6-5) has already beaten the Bears already this season, winning 19-13 in Chicago in Week 6. That powered a five-game winning streak, which came to an end last week when the Denver Broncos defeated the Vikings 21-20.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell must now decide whether to allow his best player, wideout Justin Jefferson, to return from a hamstring injury or to play it cautious and leave Jefferson out this week as well as the team’s bye next week. The Athletic reported Thursday that Jefferson is unlikely to play.
Jefferson, 24, had 36 receptions for 571 yards and three touchdowns when he fell down in the fifth game of the season.
“We need to win this football game,” O’Connell stated. “We’re not going to let that distract us from the fact that we started with some really strong ideals about making sure Justin was in a good place and completely well when he returned. We’re not going to let any other external events, or even our team’s difficulties, influence that position in any way.”
Chicago (3-8) raises similar concerns, but for different reasons. The Bears are expected to have a few high picks in next year’s NFL draft, and they must decide whether Justin Fields is their long-term quarterback or whether they should look for a top prospect.
Fields, 24, has completed 62.7 percent of his throws in seven games, totaling 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He has also ran for 341 yards and one touchdown.
Fields suffered a dislocated right thumb during his last game against the Vikings, forcing him to miss four games. He was 6 of 10 for 58 yards and an interception when he was injured.
“We’re better than what we put on tape that game,” Fields went on to say. “It’s all about putting your best foot forward. Making certain that we know our Ps and Qs before each play. When they apply pressure, we remain focused and get the ball out quickly. It is going to be crucial. When they do provide pressure, the offensive line picks it up. “Everything starts at the beginning.”
Since joining the Vikings in an Oct. 31 trade with the Arizona Cardinals, quarterback Joshua Dobbs has spent a significant amount of time escaping pressure in the pocket. In three games in Minnesota, Dobbs has passed for 647 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He has also ran for 131 yards and three
Both sides are battling with multiple players on the injured list.
Running back D’Onta Foreman (ankle/shin), center Lucas Patrick (back), lineman Larry Borom (sickness), and linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) all missed the Bears’ first full practice of the week on Thursday.
Three Vikings players were limited during their first practice: Jefferson (hamstring), tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs), and cornerback Akayleb Evans (calf).
