What happened: Jefferson remained out Thursday after missing the open portion of practice earlier in the day, extending his absence to two sessions this week. The non-participation leaves Minnesota's top receiver off the field heading into the final practice window before the club sets its game-status designation.

Why it matters: The update matters for a Minnesota offense that entered the week 3-0 after its Sept. 29 win at Tampa Bay and has centered much of its passing game around Justin Jefferson through September. A second straight DNP trims the runway for a full return before the weekend.

What to watch: Friday's injury report is the next key checkpoint before Minnesota assigns an official game status. Another missed session would keep the focus on whether Jefferson can return in any capacity before kickoff.