Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are questionable, creating uncertainty for Kyler Murray and every fantasy manager invested in Minnesota’s passing game.
The Minnesota Vikings enter Week 5 with their top two receivers carrying injury designations. Jefferson practiced on a limited basis all week because of an ankle injury, while Addison missed Wednesday with a hamstring problem before logging limited sessions Thursday and Friday. Both are questionable for Sunday’s game in New Orleans.
Minnesota also ruled out left tackle Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Charles Demmings. Right tackle Brian O’Neill, center Michael Jurgens and tight end Ben Yurosek are questionable, although Jurgens and Yurosek practiced fully throughout the week.
Final #Vikings Week 5 injury report
OUT: Christian Darrisaw and Chuck Demmings
QUESTIONABLE: Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson, Michael Jurgens*, Brian O’Neill and Ben Yurosek*
*Currently in 21-day return to practice window pic.twitter.com/TLCCJUfUFF
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 9, 2026
Jefferson remains a must-start if active
Jefferson missed Week 4 but returned to limited practice for all three sessions. He has said he plans to play, although the Vikings still must determine how his ankle responds before kickoff.
Fantasy managers should keep Jefferson in lineups if Minnesota declares him active. His talent and established offensive role make him a WR1 despite the possibility that the ankle limits his explosiveness or snap total. Managers should check the inactive list, released about 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
If Jefferson is ruled out, Addison would ordinarily receive the biggest fantasy boost. This week is more complicated because Addison has a hamstring injury and never advanced beyond limited participation. An active designation would not guarantee his normal workload.
Addison carries greater risk
Addison’s progression from no practice Wednesday to limited work on consecutive days is encouraging. Nevertheless, hamstring injuries can be troublesome for receivers who rely on acceleration and downfield speed.
If Jefferson and Addison both play, Addison belongs in the WR3 or flex range rather than being treated as Minnesota’s unquestioned top target. If Jefferson sits and Addison plays, Addison’s target ceiling rises, but his health still adds risk.
Managers planning to use Addison should keep a late-swap option available. If both receivers are inactive, deeper-league managers can consider another Minnesota receiver, but no reserve should automatically inherit Jefferson’s elite fantasy value.
Murray becomes a risky starter
Murray’s outlook hinges heavily on the final receiver decisions. He has averaged 11.9 fantasy points across his past two games, including a 247-yard, scoreless performance against Miami without Jefferson.
Article Continues BelowThat recent production makes Murray difficult to trust in standard one-quarterback leagues. If Jefferson and Addison are active, Murray becomes a more appealing upside play, but the injury uncertainty and offensive-line concerns keep him outside must-start territory. He remains more comfortable as a QB2 in Superflex and two-quarterback formats.
Darrisaw missed every practice with a concussion and is out, while O’Neill remained limited all week with a knee injury. Losing Darrisaw and potentially O’Neill would weaken protection around Murray. Jurgens’ three full practices are encouraging, even though he remains questionable with an elbow injury.
Jones offers lineup stability
Aaron Jones was limited Wednesday for rest and carries no game designation. Unlike the uncertainty surrounding the receivers, nothing on the report indicates that fantasy managers should move Jones out of starting lineups.
Minnesota could emphasize the running game if either receiver is unavailable or if pass protection becomes a concern. That is a possible game-plan response, not a guaranteed workload increase.
Yurosek practiced fully all week despite his questionable designation, while punter Brett Thorson also completed three full sessions. Harrison Smith was limited Friday for rest and has no designation. For fantasy purposes, Jefferson, Addison and Murray remain the essential decisions before lineup lock.