DENVER — Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson is getting close to returning from his hamstring injury. He’s just not going to do that until he’s back at 100 percent.

After initially listing him as questionable, the Vikings downgraded Jefferson to out leading up to Sunday’s road game against the Denver Broncos. It marked the sixth straight game the 24-year-old receiver has missed since suffering his hamstring injury last month.

The fact that Jefferson sat out wasn’t surprising considering the way he has slowly progressed through the recovery process over the past couple of weeks. Though he has started to ramp things up in practice, Jefferson still has not been a full participant since being designated for return from injured reserve.

There’s no doubt the Vikings have been exercising caution with Jefferson as they prepare for the stretch run. They have reiterated they won’t rush him back, and while they could activate him next week before hosting the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, it might be tempting to wait even longer.

Notably, the Vikings have a bye week coming up in the near future that, theoretically, could give them even more time to get Jefferson back to 100 percent.

Asked this week about his potential return, Jefferson credited the medical staff for the Vikings, then made something abundantly clear.

“I’m the main person that’s going to make the decision at the end of the day,” Jefferson said. “I’m the person that’s going out there and putting my body on the line to win games and do things for this organization.”

Mattison cleared

After clearing concussion protocol, running back Alexander Mattison was active for the Vikings against the Broncos.

His availability was up in the air this week after he exited the home game against the New Orleans Saints last Sunday.

As much as the Vikings were happy to have Mattison back, the expectation leading up to kickoff was that running back Ty Chandler would still have an increased role.

Barr active

It did not take linebacker Anthony Barr very long to prove he’s ready to make an impact.

After signing him to the practice squad this week, the Vikings elevated Barr to the active roster against the Broncos.

It was an impressive rise for Barr considering he hadn’t played in an NFL game since suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys last season.

Briefly

The inactives for the Vikings included safety Lewis Cine, receiver Trishton Jackson, quarterback Jaren Hall, cornerback Akayleb Evans, linebacker Brian Asamoah II, tight end Nick Muse and offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji.

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