Jefferson returns for Vikings; Addison and Beckham are inactive

Justin Jefferson is active for Minnesota's Week 5 game at New Orleans, while Jordan Addison and Odell Beckham Jr. are inactive. The Vikings' Sunday announcement resolves the uncertainty around their top two receivers, with Jefferson returning from an ankle injury and Addison unavailable with a hamstring problem.

The personnel decisions were checked at 12:07 p.m. Eastern Sunday. CBS Sports independently confirmed Jefferson's active status and listed Addison and Beckham among Minnesota's inactive players. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern at Caesars Superdome on FOX.

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Both Jefferson and Addison had carried questionable designations on Friday. Jefferson was limited during the practice week as he worked back from the ankle injury suffered against Tampa Bay in Week 3. The team's Friday preview described how much playing in Louisiana meant to the St. Rose native, who helped LSU win its 2019 national championship in the same stadium.

The final list also explains why Saturday's roster moves did not guarantee a Beckham appearance. Minnesota elevated Beckham and Jeshaun Jones from the practice squad while it was still evaluating Jefferson and Addison. The team then placed Beckham on Sunday's inactive list. His elevation and game-day availability were separate decisions.

Minnesota also activated center Michael Jurgens and tight end Ben Yurosek from injured reserve Saturday. Those moves added options to the active roster at two other offensive positions. Sunday's list includes tackle Christian Darrisaw, who remains in concussion protocol, and cornerback Chuck Demmings, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Kyler Murray has another established receiving option in T.J. Hockenson. The Vikings' game preview notes that Hockenson caught 13 passes for 119 yards against Miami in Week 4, as Murray developed a rhythm with the tight end. That performance gives useful recent context for a passing group playing without Addison.

Safety Jakobe Thomas and defensive lineman Elijah Williams also are inactive. Max Brosmer is listed as the emergency third quarterback: he can dress but is eligible to play only if Murray and Carson Wentz suffer injuries, according to the team.

New Orleans has ruled out linebacker Kaden Elliss, edge rusher Anfernee Jennings and defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd on its inactive list. Alvin Kamara is active after being listed with a back issue, the league's Sunday update confirms. Minnesota enters the matchup 4-0, with its receiving decisions now settled after a week of injury evaluations.

Sources

Sunday inactive list and Jefferson return · CBS Sports: Current Week 5 game-day availability · Passing-group context and Hockenson production · Saturday elevations and injured-reserve activations · NFL: Confirmed Sunday player decisions