Minnesota Vikings News

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) is expected to return to action after the team's Week 6 bye, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. The 27-year-old was placed on Injured Reserve with a fractured thumb after the team's Week 1 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Mason has missed his required four games after landing on Injured Reserve and will get an additional week because of the bye. During Mason's absence, Aaron Jones Sr. has handled the majority of the work and has been the PPR RB11 in overall scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game. Jones' production should give Mason managers hope that he can become a solid fantasy asset for the remainder of the season. However, it will be interesting to see how the team utilizes both backs when Mason returns. If Mason is on the waiver wire, he is a worthy bench stash until he returns to the lineup.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. has taken on a workload that not even his most fervent supporters could have envisioned. With Jordan Mason on Injured Reserve due to a thumb injury, Jones has seen at least 20 carries in three of the last four weeks and has gone over 100 yards rushing in two of those contests. In total, the 31-year-old veteran has 85 rushing attempts for 370 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and one touchdown, while catching 12 of his 17 targets for 72 yards through the air. It has vaulted Jones to RB15 in half-PPR scoring through the first five games of the 2026 season. He had a season-high in touches with 28 in the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Savvy fantasy managers will want to sell high on Jones as the Vikings head into their bye week. Mason is expected to return in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, and at that point, Minnesota plans to give Jones a break so that he does not wear down early this season. In the season-opening win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers when Mason was healthy, Jones had 12 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown and went without a catch. His volume is about to fall.

After leaving the team this offseason, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings could be on the San Francisco 49ers' radar. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, signing veteran Odell Beckham Jr. could be a warning to Jennings, who has caught just two passes for nine yards in five games. Jennings appeared frustrated on the sideline after Myles Price fumbled and yelled at head coach Kevin O'Connell during Week 5's 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints. If Jennings is traded before this season's trade deadline, the 49ers seem like a likely destination. They've dealt with numerous injuries to their wide receiver room, including Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Ricky Pearsall (knee), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle). Fantasy managers should keep an eye on this situation, as Jennings could be a fantasy-relevant option if he's moved to a team like the 49ers.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings has not been able to find much success with his new team. Heading into the Week 6 bye, Jennings has recorded two receptions for nine yards with zero touchdowns. The Vikings were without Jordan Addison (hamstring) this past weekend, and Jennings still only managed one target. Recently, Ian Rapoport mentioned that Jennings is a name to watch ahead of the trade deadline. He hinted that the San Francisco 49ers could be a potential fit, given their history with Jennings and a need for another wide receiver. Fantasy managers who are willing to be patient with Jennings should consider stashing him, given recent trade rumors.

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday that there are a lot of trade conversations going on around the NFL right now, and a name that he has been wondering about is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Rapoport expects Jennings' name to heat up over the next couple of days and weeks, especially after the San Francisco 49ers lost another receiver in veteran Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The Niners let the 29-year-old Jennings walk in free agency last offseason, but they could be interested in a reunion with the former seventh-rounder because of all of the injuries to their WR corps early in the 2026 season. Even with star Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson missing Week 4 due to an ankle injury, Jennings has had a very minimal impact with the Vikes through four contests, catching two of five targets for only nine yards. A move back to the Bay Area might be the only thing that will get Jennings back on the fantasy football radar this year. Stay tuned. He had a career year in 2024 with San Francisco, posting a 77-975-6 line in 15 regular-season games, and he followed that up with a career-best nine touchdowns in 2025.

The Minnesota Vikings worked out veteran free-agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Smith-Schuster has not signed with an NFL team for the 2026 season despite also working out for the New York Jets in the middle of September. The 29-year-old could be brought in by the Vikings for extra receiver depth if Jordan Addison (hamstring) is forced to miss more time after the team's bye in Week 6. The 29-year-old Smith-Schuster was released by the New York Giants on Aug. 18 after he suffered a knee injury in training camp, but he has recovered from his knee injury and is still seeking an NFL job for the remainder of the season. The former Pro Bowler played in 17 games (12 starts) for the Kansas City Chiefs last year and hauled in 33 of his 45 targets for 345 yards and a touchdown in his ninth year in the league. Smith-Schuster is a long shot to become fantasy-relevant again in Minnesota or anywhere else.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson caught six of his seven targets for 79 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown during Sunday's Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints. He also had a rushing attempt for a loss of 11 yards. Jefferson returned from a one-week absence caused by an ankle sprain, and he wasted no time making an impact in his first game back. The 27-year-old now has 19 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns through parts of four games this season. He's still not quite back at his overall WR1 form from 2022, but his impressive performance on Sunday is absolutely a step in the right direction. The Vikings have a Week 6 bye, but Jefferson will look to build on this momentum when he returns to the field in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, who just held DK Metcalf to a mere 12 yards.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. took on a heavy workload during Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran back carried the ball 25 times for 113 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Saints. He also added three receptions on three targets for an additional four yards through the air. Both the rushing attempts and rushing yards are new season highs for Jones. He has been the workhorse back in Minnesota while Jordan Mason (thumb) is out. It's worth noting that Mason is eligible to return from the Injured Reserve next week. His return to the field would eat into Jones' playing time, but fantasy managers can worry about that when it happens. The Vikings head into a bye, so we'll see what the backfield situation looks like ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) has returned to Sunday's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Dane Mizutani. Jones was initially questionable to return after spending an extended period in the blue medical tent. He had carried seven times for 28 yards and caught one pass for one yard before leaving the contest. The veteran was back on the field for Minnesota's next offensive possession after undergoing evaluation.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Jones spent an extended period in the blue medical tent before Minnesota announced his injury designation. He also briefly exited the Week 2 matchup against Chicago with a knee issue but returned to finish with 23 carries for 105 yards. Jordan Mason (thumb) remains on injured reserve, leaving DeeJay Dallas and rookie Demond Claiborne as Minnesota's other available running backs.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, the team announced. Hockenson headed to the locker room earlier in the contest and was evaluated for a concussion before Minnesota downgraded his status to out. He entered Sunday coming off a 13-catch, 119-yard performance against Miami last week.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is being evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Hockenson headed to the locker room earlier in the game, with Minnesota subsequently announcing the concussion evaluation. There was no immediate word on whether he would return. The veteran is coming off a 13-catch, 119-yard performance against Miami last week, matching his career high in receptions.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson headed to the locker room during Sunday's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Nick Underhill. It's unclear what prompted his departure, and no injury or return designation was included in the initial report. Hockenson is coming off a career-high-tying 13-catch performance against Miami last week, when he hauled in all 13 targets for 119 yards.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Addison missed Wednesday's practice before returning for limited sessions Thursday and Friday, but he won't be able to play. He had been getting more involved in Minnesota's passing game, catching nine passes for 142 yards and a touchdown over the previous two weeks. Five of those receptions came against Tampa Bay in Week 3, when he finished with 90 yards and a score. Justin Jefferson (ankle) is back after missing last week's game, while the Vikings elevated Odell Beckham Jr. and Jeshaun Jones from the practice squad Saturday.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Jefferson missed last week's win over Miami after injuring his ankle against Tampa Bay in Week 3. He was limited in all three practices leading up to Sunday and entered the weekend listed as questionable. Jefferson had 13 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games, with both scores coming in the season opener against Green Bay. He returns with Jordan Addison (hamstring) inactive, leaving Minnesota without its usual starting receiver combination.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 5 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Jeff Darlington of ESPN. Jefferson entered the weekend listed as questionable, but he plans to suit up against New Orleans, barring a setback during pregame warmups. Jefferson's availability for Week 5 shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as he previously said he'd do whatever was necessary to play in Louisiana, where he went to college. Jefferson is on track to play his first full game since Week 2. Through the first two weeks of the season, he caught 11 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. He briefly caught passes from Kyler Murray in Week 1 before the quarterback suffered a concussion, but barring an injury, Sunday's game will represent the first time the quarterback and receiver play a full 60 minutes together. With that being said, fellow wide receiver Jordan Addison won't be along for the ride, as Darlington reports that Addison will be inactive for Week 5.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (hamstring) is expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 5 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Jeff Darlington of ESPN. Addison entered the weekend listed as questionable. While he'll undergo a pregame workout to confirm his availability, all signs point to him being sidelined on Sunday. That's a rough loss for the Vikings as they take on a high-scoring team like the Saints. After all, Addison had racked up nine catches, 142 yards, and one touchdown over the last two weeks, albeit with Jefferson injured for both games. The good news for the Vikings is that Justin Jefferson (ankle) is expected to play on Sunday, keeping this Kyler Murray-led offense viable while the defense works hard to slow down New Orleans.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (hamstring) will work out prior to Sunday's Week 5 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Addison is listed as questionable, and the workout will determine whether he's able to suit up on Sunday against the Saints. The 24-year-old has taken on a larger role lately with Justin Jefferson (ankle) sidelined, catching nine passes for 142 yards and one touchdown across two games. Jefferson is also questionable and will undergo pregame testing, but he has previously said that he'll do whatever he can to play in Louisiana, where he went to college. It's worth noting that if Jefferson plays, Addison's fantasy value would drop to the fringe low-end WR3 range for Week 5.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) will work out ahead of Sunday's Week 5 contest against the New Orleans Saints to determine whether he's able to play, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The 27-year-old receiver is listed as questionable, and he previously said that he'll do whatever he can to play in Louisiana, where he played college football. Jefferson had 92 yards and two touchdowns back in Week 1, but he followed that up with a modest 8.5-point showing in PPR leagues. Then, he exited early in Week 3 and was inactive for Week 4. If Jefferson does play on Sunday, it'll be his first full game with quarterback Kyler Murray. The jury is still out on whether Murray can support consistent WR1 production from Jefferson in fantasy football.

The Minnesota Vikings have elevated wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's Week 5 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Beckham signed with the Vikings' practice squad this past week after being released by the Giants. During three games with New York, Beckham had just one target and zero catches. For fantasy managers, this move has less of an impact on Beckham's fantasy status and more of an impact on how managers set their lineups, with Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Jordan Addison (hamstring) both listed as questionable. As it stands, Jefferson is trending toward playing, and Addison is also in a decent spot after practicing on Friday. However, when a team has its top two receivers questionable, elevating a practice squad receiver like Beckham makes plenty of sense. Minnesota now has extra roster insurance in case Jefferson, Addison, or both can't suit up by the time kickoff comes around on Sunday. With that being said, if Jefferson and Addison don't play, Beckham won't be a reliable option in fantasy football, given his lack of a track record over the past few years.