Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson decides not to play against the Bears.

While they patiently await the return of All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson to the starting lineup, the Minnesota Vikings have performed admirably. The team will, regrettably, have to wait for one more game.

On Sunday, November 26, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Jefferson would miss his seventh straight game on Monday Night Football when the Vikings host the Chicago Bears due to a hamstring strain.

According to a source, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is questionable and is not expected to play against the Bears on Monday night, according to Fowler on X. “He’ll have a bye week from the Vikings, and he’ll play a major role in the team’s playoff push in the final five games.”

Jefferson, for his part, stated earlier this week that, should he feel well enough, he would play against Chicago.

At a press conference on Friday, Jefferson stated, “I will play if I’m feeling good.” It’s going to be the seventh game if I miss this one. Thus, it is undoubtedly annoying. Being patient and attempting to ensure that an injury heals properly can be difficult. It comes with the game, but it’s definitely not something I want to do. It results from attempting to be fully and healthily present.

Since Jefferson was lost in the second half of a Week 5 game in Minneapolis against the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota is 5-1. Since then, the team has only lost once, to the Denver Broncos, who have now won five straight games on the road in Week 11. The Broncos defeated the team by a point.

After the Vikings’ bye week, Jefferson will be back to take on the Las Vegas Raiders. He will also be available for the team’s final game (Weeks 17) against the Green Bay Packers and its two games (Weeks 16, 18) against the Detroit Lions, who are currently atop the NFC North Division, barring any further injuries.

Minnesota is now two games behind the Lions for the top spot in the division with a 6-5 record. After winning two straight games, the Packers are 5-6. Should Minnesota lose to the Bears on Monday night, they could catch up to the Vikings by half a game.

The wide receiver has found it difficult to play without Jefferson, but over the past few months, pressures from off the field have also affected him.

Over the weekend, Jefferson removed his social media accounts, citing persistent abuse from NFL fans due to his extended layoff from injuries. His hamstring strain was initially diagnosed by doctors as an injury that would require four to six weeks to heal.

On Friday, he discussed his experience handling the pressure and accusations from fans with members of the media.