Vikings’ Jordan Addison returns to limited practice as Justin Jefferson remains limited

Minnesota’s wide receiver group got a key boost in the form of Jordan Addison, who returned to the practice field on Thursday in a limited capacity. According to Yahoo Sports, Addison sat out Wednesday after dealing with a hamstring injury, then rejoined team activities the next day as the Vikings prepared for their upcoming matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

The Vikings’ injury picture at wide receiver is still defined by Justin Jefferson’s status. Yahoo Sports reported that Jefferson was limited for the second straight day, this time dealing with an ankle issue. That meant Minnesota had both of its top wideouts available on the practice field during Thursday’s session, even if neither was at full workload.

From a team-prep standpoint, limited participation matters because it shapes how much a receiver can run routes at full speed, work through timing reads, and handle repeated reps in the middle of a practice. While being on the field is a positive step, limitations often reflect a plan designed to manage soreness and reduce the risk of a setback before game day.

Addison’s return also suggests that the hamstring problem experienced Wednesday was not severe enough to keep him out entirely on Thursday. Hamstring injuries can be tricky because they affect stride and acceleration, two components that are central to wide receiver routes, separation work, and high-intensity plays. Minnesota will likely continue to monitor his responsiveness to the increased workload across the next practice windows.

Jefferson’s ankle, meanwhile, has already carried into at least two consecutive days of limited practice. Ankle ailments can influence cutting and timing, and quarterbacks often adjust their rhythm based on receiver availability and how reliably routes can be executed under contact. With Jefferson still restricted, the Vikings will be watching for whether he can progress beyond limited work as the week moves closer to kickoff.

The practical consequence for Sunday against the Saints is that Minnesota’s offensive game plan must account for both players’ availability and workload. Even if both are active, limited practice participants sometimes receive modified snap counts or role adjustments, depending on how the team feels about their readiness.

What to watch next is how Minnesota structures Friday’s work and whether Jefferson and Addison move from limited participation toward full drills. Another tell will be whether the Vikings can increase their tempo and route volume for both receivers, since that typically becomes possible only when limitations ease. Until then, Thursday’s session remains the clearest indication that Addison’s injury did not worsen and that Jefferson is being treated as a controllable, though still present, concern.