

The Minnesota Vikings were hit with an unexpected scare on Friday. With the preseason just around the corner and the regular season fast approaching, the team learned that superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson will undergo medical testing to evaluate a possible injury.
Jefferson, widely considered the NFL’stop receiver, is entering his sixth season as a pro. The former LSU standout has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times, named All-Pro twice, and crowned the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year.
Last season, Jefferson hauled in 103 receptions for 1,433 yards and 10 touchdowns. With Sam Darnold’s departure this offseason, Jefferson’s presence on the field is expected to be crucial in easing the pressure on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. But now, the team’s plans may be temporarily derailed.
What happened to Jefferson?
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed: “WR Justin Jefferson has a mild hamstring strain and he will be held out of practice.” He added that the receiver will undergo further evaluation next week, which media reports have confirmed will include an MRI.
O’Connell stressed that it’s a “very minor left hamstring strain” but said the team is taking every precaution – especially after Jefferson missed seven games in 2023 with a similar injury. “We’re going to hold him out for a bit and then re-evaluate him next week when we return. The best thing is, we avoided anything serious,”O’Connell said.
In a statement in the team’s website, the coach also expressed confidence that Jefferson would be ready to go for their first preseason game on August 9. “And I have no worries at all that we’ll be able to get Justin ready to go for the regular season.”
Jefferson explains his early exit
Speaking to the press, Jefferson explained that he pulled himself from practice after noticing “stiffness” in his legs. After reporting the discomfort to team trainers, he and the Vikings coaching staff mutually agreed to end his session early.
“With the recent injuries and the stuff I went through before, [I’m] just taking precautions and understanding it’s the second day of camp, not the 30th,” Jefferson said. “Just making sure that I’m fully healthy and I’m good to go – especially when the season starts.”
While it’s too early for full-blown panic, fans and coaches alike are hoping Jefferson’s MRI confirms it’s nothing more than a precautionary pause.
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