Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson will return after 7-game absence for hamstring injury

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, an All-Pro, was cleared to play again on Tuesday after missing two months due to a hamstring injury. Following a 12-10 loss to Chicago on Monday, the Vikings (6-6) will have a bye week, but Jefferson will be back on the field when they play at Las Vegas on December 10. Jefferson has missed the previous seven games. The 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson sustained an injury in Week 5 against Kansas City,.

Jefferson returned to practice on Nov. 8 and said last week he was reaching “top speeds.” But the Vikings opted to give Jefferson one more game and the bye to fully heal. If Jefferson weren’t activated this week for some reason, he would have been ineligible to return this season.

The Vikings waived wide receiver N’Keal Harry to make room on the roster on Tuesday and also released quarterback Sean Mannion from the practice squad.