Jefferson says he’ll play Saturday vs. Bengals despite chest injury

Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson said Wednesday he’ll play Saturday’s contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Jefferson returned from a seven-game absence in Week 14 but injured his chest and left the matchup versus the Las Vegas Raiders early. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year was briefly hospitalized Sunday as a precaution before traveling home with the team.

He was considered day-to-day this week, and head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that there was a “good chance” the star pass-catcher would play this week.

Despite Jefferson’s injury, the Vikings edged the Raiders 3-0 to improve to 7-6, good for the No. 6 seed in the NFC. The All-Pro wideout caught only two passes for 27 yards before exiting the Las Vegas matchup.

Jefferson, who led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards in 2022, was on pace to have another monster season before going down with a hamstring ailment that sent him to injured reserve after Week 5. The 24-year-old has racked up 598 yards and three touchdowns on 39 catches in six appearances so far this campaign.

He said last week that topping 1,000 yards for a fourth straight year was his new individual season goal after his IR stint.

The Vikings have a 62% chance of making the playoffs, according to The New York Times. A win in Cincinnati in Week 15 would increase the team’s chances to 79%.

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