Vikings Justin Jefferson is day to day, hopefully with a good chance of playing vs. Bengals

Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is “day to day, hopefully with a good chance of playing” Saturday versus the Cincinnati Bengals, coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday.

Jefferson went to the locker room in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders after taking a hard hit to the torso from Raiders safety Marcus Epps. Jefferson was then ruled out for the game with a chest injury and taken to a local hospital out of precaution, the Vikings said.

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Epps delivered a hard hit to Jefferson at the end of a 15-yard gain. Jefferson went to the sideline after the play and was evaluated in the medical tent before leaving the field.

Jefferson, playing in his first game since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 5, had two catches for 27 yards before the injury.

The 24-year-old led the NFL last season in receptions with 128 on the season for 1,809 yards and nine touchdowns. He won NFL Offensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for MVP.

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How the play unfolded

The Vikings faced a third-and-4 with 9:54 remaining in the first half. Quarterback Josh Dobbs dropped back and attempted a pass to Jefferson, who was peeling toward the middle of the field. Dobbs’ pass sailed; Jefferson leapt, hauled in the pass, crashed to the grass and immediately grabbed his upper body. He tried to stay on the field, but trainers pulled him off.

Frustration settled in quickly on the sideline, as trainers walked him over to the medical tent. The Vikings announced that he was questionable with a chest injury, and Jefferson walked with trainers into the locker room. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer

What would losing Jefferson (again) mean for the Vikings?

Their odds at staying in the NFC playoff picture would take a hit. The Vikings have only scored 30 points in their last five halves of football. They don’t have quarterback Kirk Cousins, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon. Right tackle Brian O’Neill exited Sunday afternoon’s game with an apparent leg injury. Backup quarterback Dobbs cannot find a rhythm. The offense is, quite simply, a mess.

Jefferson’s return offered a semblance of hope. If Jefferson misses extended time, the Vikings would be left with skill players Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, who will have a hard time carrying the load. — Lewis

Required reading

(Photo: Ian Maule / Getty Images)

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