Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has a “good chance” of playing in Cincinnati on Saturday, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday, a day after Jefferson was cleared of serious complications at a Las Vegas hospital after suffered a violent blow which caused a chest injury. .
“He’s doing pretty well [Monday],” O’Connell said, “and it’s just a matter of continuing to monitor any potential events that might arise.”Jefferson, who had two catches for 27 yards, left Sunday’s 3-0 win over the Raiders in the second quarter after taking a behind-the-back hit from safety Marcus Epps. He was transported to an area hospital and underwent an examination including x-rays. Jefferson had missed the last seven games with a hamstring strain.Sprained ankles could further weaken the Vikings’ offense. Right tackle Brian O’Neill and running back Alexander Mattison are recovering from ankle injuries and have similar return time frames. Neither is expected to be out long, but both could miss Saturday’s game.“I think we were able to avoid a real long-term problem for Brian,” O’Connell said. Receiver Jalen Nailor, who suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit in the fourth quarter, remains in the concussion protocol.Right guard Ed Ingram could return this week, O’Connell said, after missing the first game of his young NFL career with a hip injury in November. 27 against the Bears.Linebacker Jordan Hicks is “ahead of schedule” after leg surgery, as the team hopes he can return this season, O’Connell said. Hicks will be eligible to play against the Lions on December 24. The 31-year-old team captain said last week that he intends to return to playing after undergoing emergency surgery on his leg to relieve the dangerous pressure of compartment syndrome. “Jordan is probably ahead of schedule considering the severity of what we felt right after his injury,” O’Connell said. “Where he’s at right now is very, very positive, and I think Jordan is getting very close in practice.”
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