Health of WRs Jefferson, Addison key to OBJ's Vikings debut

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  Kevin SeifertOct 9, 2026, 03:09 PM ET

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  Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings entered the weekend uncertain about the health of their top two receivers as well as their starting right tackle, coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday.

Receivers Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Jordan Addison (hamstring) were both listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, as is right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee). O'Connell said the status of each player will not be determined until Sunday morning. None of the three participated fully in a practice this week.

O'Connell said the Vikings will decide Saturday whether to elevate receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the practice squad after signing him Wednesday. If he is elevated, but Jefferson and Addison are cleared to play Sunday morning, then Beckham likely would be a gameday inactive, O'Connell said.

The Vikings already knew they would be without left guard Donovan Jackson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw was also ruled out Friday after sitting out the entire practice week while in the concussion protocol. Joe Huber will start at left guard, while Ryan Van Demark will replace Darrisaw. If O'Neill can't play, he'll likely be replaced by rookie Caleb Tiernan.

Jefferson, a native of Louisiana who attended LSU, said earlier this week that playing Sunday is "definitely something that I want to do." He hasn't played since spraining his left ankle Sept. 28 at the end of the Vikings' first possession against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He sat out the rest of the game and then missed all of their Oct. 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

"He progressed throughout the week," O'Connell said. "So much of it is just how he feels after getting some work today. And we still have quite a bit of time between the rest of the day, tomorrow, and obviously into game day to make that determination based upon what's best for our football team and Justin."

The Vikings will head into their bye week after playing the Saints. Jefferson has caught 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns this season. But his ankle injury, and quarterback Kyler Murray's Week 1 concussion, have limited them to 18 snaps together.