Ben Ellefson News

Ellefson will stay in Minnesota after it was reported earlier Wednesday by Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the team would not extend an RFA tender to him. He should provide depth to the team's tight end corps. The terms of his new contract have yet to be disclosed.

Ellefson only played in four games last season, missing most of the 2022 campaign with a groin injury. Tomasson notes that the Vikings may have an interest in re-signing him to a lesser contract than the $2.6 million right of first refusal tender amount.

Ellefson was activated off IR last Wednesday, but he remained sidelined during Week 13 and will now head back to IR due to what appears to be a significant groin injury. The reserve tight end hasn't suited up since Week 4 and won't be able to play again until Week 18 at the earliest, though it's certainly possible he remains out for the remainder of the campaign.

Ellefson was activated off of IR Wednesday, but he will need at least one more week off before making his return to the field following a groin issue. The tight end will slot in behind T.J. Hockenson and Johnny Mundt on the Vikings' depth chart once healthy.

Ellefson is expected to make his return to action after being out since Week 4. In the four games he played, the 26-year old tight end caught all three of his targets for 26 yards while serving mainly as a blocking specialist. Ellefson will look to help open holes for Dalvin Cook and the run game in his return versus a stout Jets run defense.

Ellefson returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since being placed on IR in early October with a groin injury. The team will now have a 21-day window to either activate him from IR or leave him unavailable for the remainder of the season. Ellefson has made three catches for 26 yards while appearing in four games this year and he will operate as an additional depth option behind T.J. Hockenson once healthy.