Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) signals the referee against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
On the same day that Justin Jefferson recorded the longest touchdown of his career — which may be his longest by the time his career ends in a decade or so — the phenom playmaker dealt with an injury when the Minnesota Vikings closed out a stunning victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
But Jefferson will be just fine.
His injury is not considered serious, and in fact, the man could play Sunday when the purple team hosts the 2-0 Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“I’m not seriously injured,” Jefferson told reporters after the win. “That’s the main important thing. So, it’s just all about getting to the training room, making sure my body is right for next week, and I’ll be ready to go next Sunday.”
Of course, the team will make the final determination later this week on Jefferson’s Week 3 status, but on the whole, the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year dodged a major bullet. He basically took a gruesome Charley horse to the quad courtesy of 49ers’ otherworldly linebacker Fred Warner.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell opined on the injury, too. “I think Fred Warner went in to make the play. That happens a lot. Not intentional, but he got a little leg-to-leg contact on that.”
Jefferson finished Sunday with 4 receptions for 133 yards and the mammoth 97-yard touchdown that will grace Vikings highlight reels for years, if not decades, to come. Quarterback Sam Darnold wound up in his own endzone and launched the rock to Jefferson right past midfield on Sunday, and Jefferson, plus his teammate Jalen Nailor, took care of the rest. His 97-yard touchdown from Sam Darnold was the second-longest in franchise history, only trailing Gus Frerotte to Bernard Berrian in 2008, which was 99 yards.
“It’s pretty sore, but he’s already up and moving and we’ll treat that thing and hopefully he’ll be day to day and we’ll see what his status is for next week,” O’Connell added about his playmaker’s predicament.
Minnesota will need Jefferson next weekend, especially if Jordan Addison remains out of the lineup while nursing an ankle injury. Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson won’t play either but is eligible to return in Week 5 when the Vikings travel to London for a date with the New York Jets.
The Vikings’ win over the 49ers in Week 2 extended a bizarre streak. San Francisco has lost eight consecutive games in the state of Minnesota and has not won at the Metrodome or U.S. Bank Stadium since George H. Bush’s presidential term.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.