Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Admits Justin Jefferson Return Impacts Starting QB Decision

The receiver was activated off the injured reserve list on Tuesday, meaning he will start in Week 14 for the first time since Week 5.

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson was activated off the injured reserve list on Tuesday setting up his return for Sunday, Dec. 10 vs. the Raiders, as Minnesota is currently on a bye week.

The news has heavy implications on Kevin O’Connell's decision at starting quarterback in the Week 14 game. Since the team lost Kirk Cousins for the season with a torn Achilles, backups Jaren Hall and Josh Dobbs have started for the Vikings.

Dobbs has become an inspirational story for many after he led the Vikings to a late win over the Falcons in his first appearance with the team.  However, he struggled in Monday night’s loss to the Bears throwing four interceptions, which raised questions about if he would remain the starter going forward. O’Connell was noncommittal regarding Dobbs’s future.

On Tuesday, O'Connell said Jefferson's return was "definitely part of" the decision of who would get the starting nod at quarterback for the Vikings moving forward, given Jefferson's vital role in the team's offense.

“We’re going to make sure that whoever is playing quarterback is aware and understands the intent behind plays where either Justin is the primary, or—based upon coverage, based upon the defensive look—how to quickly and efficiently get to the right place to go with the football,” O’Connell told reporters. “In the end that’s what the NFL passing game is about: rhythm, timing, understanding that the defense can and will take some things away, but progressing in rhythm.”

Dobbs hasn’t played with Jefferson yet since the quarterback was picked up in Week 9 and the receiver hasn’t played since Week 5 when he suffered a hamstring injury. The rookie Hall hasn’t played with Jefferson either because of the timeline. The Vikings also have Nick Mullens on the roster, but he hasn’t played in a game yet this season.