Jefferson activated after 7-game absence
MINNEAPOLIS >> Minnesota Vikings All-pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson was activated from injured reserve on Tuesday, cleared to return to action after missing two months with a hamstring injury.
Minnesota began its bye week after a 12-10 loss to Chicago on Monday, but Jefferson will be back on the field when the Vikings (6- 6) play at Las Vegas on Dec. 10. He missed the past seven games.
Jefferson, the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, was hurt in Week 5 against Kansas City, causing the first absence of his four-year career. He has 36 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns this season.
“Justin was close to having a chance of going last night, but the best thing for him and for our team moving forward was to get through the bye and ultimately have him at 100% coming out of the bye as we take on the Raiders on the road,” O’connell said.
Jefferson returned to practice on Nov. 8.
But the Vikings opted to give Jefferson one more game and the bye to fully heal.
The Vikings waived wide receiver N’keal Harry to make room on the roster and also released quarterback Sean Mannion from the practice squad.
Dolphins sign Pierre-paul
MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.>> The Miami Dolphins signed veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre-paul to add depth to their defense, which recently lost standout linebacker Jaelan Phillips to a season- ending Achilles tendon tear.
Pierre-paul, a South Florida native, was previously on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. He was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants in 2010 and spent eight seasons there. He’s also had stints with Tampa Bay (2018-2021) and Baltimore (2022).
He has 94 1/2 sacks in 14 seasons, which ranks seventh among active NFL players. He won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2011 and with Tampa Bay in 2020.
Phillips tore his Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of a 34-13 win over the New York Jets on Black Friday, and the team placed him on injured reserve.
Peppers, Gates advance to semifinal stage for Hall
Three- time All- Pros Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates were chosen as semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024 in their first year of eligibility.
Peppers and Gates headline a group of 25 modern day semifinalists announced by the Hall of
Fame from a group of 173 nominees announced in September. The only other player who advanced to the semifinal stage for the first time was running back Tiki Barber.
Eight players who made it to the final stage of 15 in the class of 2023 return as semifinalists this year with Jared Allen, Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, Patrick Willis, Willie Anderson and Darren Woodson all looking to get in after falling short a year ago.
The other semifinalists are Eric Allen, Anquan Boldin, Jahri Evans, London Fletcher, Eddie George, James Harrison, Rodney Harrison, Robert Mathis, Steve Smith Sr., Fred Taylor, Hines Ward, Ricky Watters, Reggie Wayne and Vince Wilfork.
Source: Taylor to have thumb surgery
INDIANAPOLIS>> Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will have thumb surgery Wednesday and hopes to play again in about three weeks, a person with knowledge of the injury told The Associated Press.
Taylor apparently was injured during Sunday’s 27-20 victory over Tampa Bay. It’s unclear when he was hurt, though, because when he slid down on the last of his 15 carries after picking up the first down, Indy (6-5) ran out the clock.