Bears could catch a break in Week 6 if Justin Jefferson misses time with injury

The Chicago Bears need all the help they can get if they want to restore any hope for late-season relevancy. In Week 6’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, they may get that help from the injury report.

Star Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson exited Minnesota’s Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring injury, and there’s concern in Skol country that it could force him to miss Sunday’s game against the Bears — at the very least.

“It was tough on him,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said of Jefferson. “He’s the ultimate competitor. I just spent some time quickly with him in the locker room, and we’ll get him back as soon as we possibly can.”

O’Connell said the focus will be on a long-term plan for Jefferson’s recovery.

“We’re going to do what’s best for Justin and make sure we give him the treatment and plan that is a big-picture positive for him,” he said.

While no one wants to see a player get injured for a competitive advantage, it is what it is. Fortunately, Jefferson’s injury isn’t career-altering. It’s a hamstring, a routine injury that takes time to heal.

For the Chicago Bears, that’s good news. It’s doubtful Jefferson will be healed in time for Week 6, leaving rookie Jordan Addison as the likely No. 1 target for Kirk Cousins.

The Bears could be getting reinforcements back in the secondary next week, too. Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson both have a chance to return to the field in time for what may be a crucial divisional game when we look back at Week 6 in December.

Jefferson has eclipsed 100 receiving yards in four of six games played against the Chicago Bears during his career, totaling 41 catches for 585 yards and two touchdowns in those contests.

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