Justin Jefferson’s Injury May Not Be Long Term
From the moment Justin Jefferson was announced as heading to injured reserve, some Minnesota Vikings assumed the injury would linger longer, the club would own a horrendous record by the time he’s ready to return, and hence, the organization may shut Jefferson down for all of 2023.
Justin Jefferson’s Injury May Not Be Long Term
But that panic might’ve been premature.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke much more optimistically — that’s his modus operandi — about Jefferson’s eventual return on Wednesday than any casual fan or doomsdayist. O’Connell was asked if he expected Jefferson’s injury to become a season-ender, and he responded, “I do not.”
O’Connell rather easily could’ve waffled and said something like, “We’re still evaluating.” But he didn’t and instead claimed Jefferson would return before too long.
“With hamstrings, I don’t want to speculate on exactly when it will be. But I know he feels pretty good considering where some guys feel at this point in the process, having been injured just this past Sunday,” O’Connell elaborated on Jefferson’s injury.
Jefferson will miss games at the Chicago Bears, versus the San Francisco 49ers, at the Green Bay Packers, and at the Atlanta Falcons before he’s eligible to return. And if Minnesota has a rotten record by Halloween, some believe the Vikings could trade players like Kirk Cousins, Danielle Hunter, and Ezra Cleveland. We shall see.
O’Connell concluded, “It’s just going to be about all that entails to go through the process to where he can have some time to start feeling like he can be at full speed again, as explosive as he is, and that will be a process he’ll work through, and hopefully we can get that window opened, and we’ll see where he’s at.”
The Vikings last started a season with a 1-4 record in 2020, later righting the ship to 6-6 by Week 14, but ultimately missed the postseason.
With Jefferson’s absence, the Vikings will turn to healthy target platters for tight end T.J. Hockenson and rookie wideout Jordan Addison. Minnesota also employs wide receivers K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell, N’Keal Harry, and Trishton Jackson to help ease the pain in the next four games.
Moreover, the Vikings rank dead last in the NFL per rushing playcall percentage, so if there was ever a moment to fix that statistic and achieve offensive balance, that time is now.
Jefferson ranks third leaguewide in receiving yards as of October 11th, trailing Tyreek Hill and Puka Nacua.
Sunday’s game at Chicago will be the first Jefferson has missed as a pro.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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