Vikings Week 5 injury report: Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are questionable, creating fantasy football concerns for Minnesota’s offense.
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 on 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 left left tackle Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Charles Demmings. Right tackle Brian O’Neill, center Michael Jurgens and tight end Ben Yurosek are questionable, though Jurgens and Yurosek practiced fully all week.
Final #Vikings Week 5 injury report
OUT: Christian Darrisaw and Chuck Demmings
QUESTION: Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson, Michael Jurgens*, Brian O’Neill and Ben Yurosek*
*Currently within the 21-day return to training 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 said he plans to play, although the Vikings still need to 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 burst or snap total. Managers should check the inactive list, which was released about 90 minutes before the 1 pm ET kickoff.
If Jefferson is ruled out, Addison will typically receive the biggest fantasy boost. This week was more complicated because Addison had a hamstring injury and never progressed beyond limited participation. An active assignment will not guarantee his normal workload.
Addison’s carries a greater risk
Addison’s progress from no practice on Wednesday to limited work on consecutive days is encouraging. However, hamstring injuries can be difficult for receivers who rely on acceleration and downfield speed.
If Jefferson and Addison both play, Addison belongs in the WR3 or flex range instead of being treated as Minnesota’s undoubted top target. If Jefferson sits and Addison plays, Addison’s target ceiling increases, 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 could consider another Minnesota receiver, but no reserve should automatically inherit Jefferson’s elite fantasy value.
Murray is becoming a dangerous starter
Murray’s view depends heavily on the recipient’s final decisions. He averaged 11.9 fantasy points over his past two games, including a 247-yard, scoreless performance against Miami without Jefferson.
That recent production makes Murray hard to trust in typical one-quarterback leagues. If Jefferson and Addison are active, Murray would be a more enticing upside play, but injury uncertainty and offensive line concerns keep him out of must-start territory. He remains more comfortable as a QB2 in Superflex and two-quarterback formats.
Darrisaw missed every practice with a concussion and nothing, while O’Neill remained limited all week with a knee injury. The loss of Darrisaw and possibly O’Neill will weaken the protection around Murray. Jurgens’ three full practices have been encouraging, though he remains questionable with an elbow injury.
Jones offers lineup stability
Aaron Jones was limited on Wednesday for rest and did not carry a game assignment. Unlike the uncertainty around receivers, nothing in the report suggests that fantasy managers should remove Jones from starting lineups.
Minnesota may emphasize the running game if either receiver is unavailable or if pass protection becomes a concern. That’s a possible game-plan response, not a guaranteed workload increase.
Yurosek practiced fully all week despite his questionable assignment, while punter Brett Thorson also completed three full sessions. Harrison Smith was limited on Friday for rest and no assignment. For fantasy purposes, Jefferson, Addison and Murray remain important decisions before lineup lock.
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 on injury designations.