The Minnesota Vikings have made the decision not to activate star wide receiver Justin Jefferson from the injured reserve list for their upcoming Monday night game against the Chicago Bears, according to a league source. Jefferson, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, was listed as questionable for the game.

The Vikings had designated Jefferson to return to practice from injured reserve in Week 10. Throughout the week, he has been a limited participant in practice sessions. However, the team has chosen to prioritize Jefferson's long-term health and opted to give him more time to fully recover.

Following their Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Vikings placed Jefferson on the injured reserve list. Since then, the 24-year-old wide receiver has missed the last six games, including wins against the Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints, as well as a loss to the Denver Broncos.

This decision aligns with the initial plan agreed upon by both the team and Jefferson to prioritize the receiver's long-term health. The Vikings are well aware that hamstring injuries can become recurring issues if not given proper time to heal. Jefferson has acknowledged this and is committed to following a path towards a complete recovery.

With Monday's game against the Bears and the subsequent bye week, Jefferson will have approximately two additional weeks to rest and recover before the Vikings' expected return on December 10th against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The absence of Jefferson will undoubtedly impact the Vikings' offense. His presence on the field forces defenses to allocate additional defenders to cover him, which in turn opens up opportunities for the rushing attack. Without Jefferson, the Bears are likely to focus on stopping the Vikings' ground game, potentially resulting in more third-and-long situations and putting added pressure on head coach Kevin O'Connell, quarterback Josh Dobbs, the offensive line, and the running backs.

Before his injury, Justin Jefferson had established himself as one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL. At the time of his hamstring injury, he ranked third in the league in targets (53) and receiving yards (571). Since being drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 2020, Jefferson has consistently impressed, amassing at least 1,400 receiving yards each season. In 2022, he led the NFL with an impressive 128 catches for 1,809 yards.

The Vikings secured Jefferson's fifth-year contract option in April, but discussions about a long-term extension have yet to materialize. As the team continues to support Jefferson's recovery process, they will likely look to secure his services for the foreseeable future.

While the Vikings may face challenges in Monday night's game without Jefferson, they hope that his extended recovery period will lead to his full return and make a significant impact in the games ahead.