Vikings Injury Concern Triggers Panic Meter
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is dealing with a mild hamstring injury — that will probably sideline him for the remainder of the summer.
With Week 1 less than six weeks away, a key Vikings injury concern has landed the team on CBS Sports’ panic meter. Here’s what we know and how it matters for 2025.
The team has hinted it won’t rush Jefferson back at training camp or for any preseason games — why would it? — so the phenom playmaker could be on the shelf for the next six weeks.
And according to CBS Sports, that injury activates the club’s panic meter.
Justin Jefferson’s Hamstring Injury Causes a Bit of Concern
Jefferson will be fine, but one media outlet made sure to note the injury this week.
Vikings on ‘Medium’ Alert for CBS Sports Panic Meter
Tyler Sullivan published the article this week, revealing a “panic meter” for each NFL injury.
On Jefferson, he wrote, “Panic meter: Medium. The Vikings star wide receiver has been sidelined during the early portions of training camp due to a hamstring injury. As noted by CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, who is at Vikings training camp, Justin Jefferson seemed to be in good spirits Monday, but he was still not participating.
“The 26-year-old does have a history of hamstring injuries, as he was limited to 10 games in 2023, and this type of injury is one that could regress in an instant. With that in mind, the Vikings would be wise to proceed with caution with their superstar pass catcher. Until he’s logged a few full-speed practices in a row, this is another injury that should be on folks’ radars.”
Most fans have brushed off the fears as summer maintenance. Better now than later — is the mindset.
Still 40 Days until Regular Season
Jefferson has 40 days on the nose to get his hamstring right. Plain and simple. That’s when the Vikings embark on Chicago for a date with the Bears at Soldier Field to start the season.
It doesn’t really matter that Jefferson won’t partake anytime soon; he’s not a rookie and might be more familiar with the offense than any player on the roster. Jefferson is entering his sixth season. He’s not a fragile newcomer.
It’s worth noting, however, that Jefferson missed seven games in 2023 due to the same issue, although the other hamstring plagued him that season.
Set your clocks: Jefferson has 40 days to get the hamstring in game-ready shape.
No Other Notable Injuries
Thankfully, Minnesota doesn’t have a barrage of other injuries. For now, it’s merely a hamstring tweak to the very best player.
Rookie outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss waltzed off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list this week. Only one man remains with the designation, tight end Gavin Bartholomew, who is nursing a back injury.
Other than Jefferson and Bartholomew, Minnesota has a clean bill of health. For now. Christian Darrisaw is in attendance at training camp, and all eyes are on his Week 1 outlook.
All Things Jefferson Are about Week 1
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy will make his NFL debut at Chicago in less than six weeks, and to get his career off to a fancy start, you better believe he’ll need Jefferson on that Monday night. McCarthy also faces the prospect of a Jordan Addison suspension, who could be a nonfactor for three games because of a 2024 driving infraction that the California legal system deemed “wet and reckless.”
The idea of McCarthy beginning his career in a hostile environment with no Jefferson or Addison is utterly terrifying, so Minnesota should put Jefferson on ice until September 8th.
Other ‘High’ Panic Meters
Sullivan addressed other NFL teams’ panic meters, too, and some fetched “high” concern.
He noted on running back Joe Mixon in Houston, “The Texans running back is expected to miss extensive time due to a foot injury. Joe Mixon suffered the injury while working out this offseason and missed the offseason program because of it. NFL Media reports that the Texans plan to re-evaluate the veteran running back closer to the regular season to determine his availability.”
“That indicates that Mixon is slated to miss the preseason and is very much at risk of not being ready for when Houston takes on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 on Sept. 7.”
And on left tackle Tristan Wirfs in Tampa Bay, “Tristan Wirfs underwent surgery on his right knee and is expected to miss the start of the season, as reported by CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones.”
“The Buccaneers star left tackle aggravated an injury that sidelined him for a game last season, and additional damage was found at the time of the surgery. It’s unclear how much time Wirfs will miss, but it does seem pretty far-fetched that he’ll suit up in Week 1.”
Jefferson needs 1,885 yards to pass Randy Moss on the Vikings’ franchise receiving yards leaderboard.
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