Fantasy football managers have been waiting anxiously for Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson to make his way back to the lineup. He’s been close the past two weeks, so what’s the latest news on the star wide receiver, and will he return in Week 12?
Is Justin Jefferson Going To Play Week 12?
Unfortunately for fantasy managers that have been chomping at the bit to have Jefferson back in their starting lineups, it looks like they’re going to have to wait yet another week.
When the Vikings take on the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, they are expected to have Jefferson watching from the sidelines.
The key factor in place for Jefferson waiting to return to the lineup is the fact that the Vikings have their bye week in Week 13. This extra week of rest allows Jefferson to fully recover and not push himself back from his hamstring injury until he’s fully ready to go mentally and physically.
It makes sense for the Vikings to hold him out with this extra stint off ahead of them, but it doesn’t make it any easier for fantasy managers who are struggling to string together wins to get into the fantasy playoffs that are just around the corner.
Editor’s note: Jefferson has been officially ruled OUT for Week 12.
Potential Fantasy Options If Jefferson Is Ruled Out Include K.J. Osborn and Darnell Mooney
If fantasy managers that have Jefferson on their roster rolled the dice in anticipation that he would suit up in Week 12 on Monday night, there are a few decent options to pivot to so you can avoid the dreaded zero fantasy points in a starting spot!
K.J. Osborn is widely available across the fantasy football landscape, and he could be a decent option to turn to with Jefferson all but ruled out for this matchup at the time of writing. Unfortunately, Osborn is a bit of a dart-throw option. He’s totaled just three receptions for 24 yards on four targets in his past two contests.
If you do plug in Osborn, you’re going to be stuck hoping that he finds the end zone on his limited opportunity tonight.
Another option to turn to could be on the other side of the ball and Darnell Mooney, wide receiver for the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, Mooney’s just as much of a boom-or-bust option for fantasy football as Osborn. Over Chicago’s past two games, he’s totaled just three receptions for 38 yards.
With that being said, we’ve seen Justin Fields look to hit Mooney deep downfield for a chunk gain numerous times this season. It’s been hit-or-miss as far as their connection, but if that one play hits, it could result in a high enough point total not to crush your lineup.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
My recommendation would be to go with Mooney over Osborn if both are available on your waiver wire. However, they’re simply low-end Flex options that have a very wide range of outcomes.
We should see Jefferson back in fantasy lineups in Week 14, providing low-end WR1/high-end WR2 value, and you can stop playing this roulette game!
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
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