Justin Jefferson Questionable vs Saints in Week 5

Justin Jefferson is questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday that Jefferson (ankle), Jordan Addison (hamstring) and right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee) are all questionable, and none of the three will get a final call until Sunday morning, per ESPN.

The stakes are simple. Minnesota is 4-0 and heads to the Caesars Superdome to face a 1-3 New Orleans team right before its bye. Getting Jefferson back for this one would be huge, and it would mean a lot to him personally. The Louisiana native and LSU product said earlier this week that playing Sunday is "definitely something that I want to do."

Where Jefferson's ankle stands

Jefferson sprained his left ankle on Sept. 28 at the end of the Vikings' first possession against the Buccaneers. He sat out the rest of that game and missed all of the Oct. 4 game against the Dolphins. None of the three questionable players practiced fully this week.

"He progressed throughout the week," O'Connell said. "So much of it is just how he feels after getting some work today. And we still have quite a bit of time between the rest of the day, tomorrow, and obviously into game day to make that determination based upon what's best for our football team and Justin."

Even with the missed time, Jefferson has 13 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns. The number that jumps out is 18. That is how many snaps he and quarterback Kyler Murray have played together this season, thanks to the ankle and Murray's Week 1 concussion.

The Odell Beckham Jr. wrinkle

Minnesota signed Odell Beckham Jr. on Wednesday, and O'Connell said the team will decide Saturday whether to elevate him from the practice squad. If Beckham gets elevated but Jefferson and Addison are both cleared Sunday morning, Beckham would likely be a game-day inactive, O'Connell said.

For fantasy managers, this is a Sunday morning inactives check before you lock Jefferson in.

The line is banged up too

Left guard Donovan Jackson suffered a season-ending knee injury last week, and left tackle Christian Darrisaw was ruled out Friday after sitting out the entire week in the concussion protocol. Joe Huber will start at left guard and Ryan Van Demark will replace Darrisaw. If O'Neill can't go, rookie Caleb Tiernan likely starts at right tackle.

New Orleans has its own questions. Alvin Kamara (back) is questionable, and linebacker Kaden Elliss and edge rusher Anfernee Jennings are out, per the Saints' Friday report.

The bottom line

A 5-0 start going into the bye is sitting right there for Minnesota. With Jefferson back on the field in his home state, it feels a whole lot more likely.