Justin Jefferson’s Injury? 2 Words Say It All
The Minnesota Vikings have one new injury since training camp’s commencement, and it just so happens to be for the best player.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell gave a reassuring two-word synopsis on Justin Jefferson’s injury status. Here’s what it means for Week 1 and the team in 2025.
Such is life for the purple team, as Justin Jefferson is dealing with a mild hamstring ailment, the same injury that sidelined him in 2023 for seven games.
But according to head coach Kevin O’Connell, he has “zero worry” about Jefferson’s game-readiness for Week 1, which is less than six weeks away.
Don’t Panic about Justin Jefferson’s Hamstring
The wide receiver will miss most of training camp and all of the preseason.
Vikings Skipper Says “Zero Worry” on Justin Jefferson
O’Connell is unfazed by Jefferson’s injury.
He told reporters, “There’s a finite amount of time we’re talking about to get him right and get him totally ready to roll for the grind. The guy plays 70-plus snaps a week, and what we ask him to do is just flat-out remarkable, but he’s able to consistently do that.”
“But you still want to have him back sooner rather than later. Like I said, zero worry about the opener, but there’s a lot of time in between now and then. What that looks like, we’re gonna be smart, but at the same time, he wants to get back out there. He does not want to stay wearing what I wear to practice for much longer.”
The punchline: zero worry about the opener.
A Sigh of Relief
Anything more than a mild hamstring tweak for Jefferson could’ve spelled disaster for the Vikings’ offense. Of course, when Jefferson majorly injured his hamstring in 2023, the team went on a winning streak, oddly enough.
Yet, with a de facto rookie quarterback in the mix, J.J. McCarthy, who’s never taken a regular season snap, potentially rolling without Jefferson just feels like ugly business. In that regard, O’Connell’s reassurances are a big deal.
You won’t see Jefferson in preseason games — he doesn’t play in those contests even when he’s healthy — but you can expect him to be ready for Week 1 at the Chicago Bears.
The Alternative Universe Lineup without Jefferson
Let’s peek at an alternate universe, where Jefferson’s hamstring injury proved to be more serious. Couple that hypothetical thought with Jordan Addison’s possible suspension for a 2024 driving offence, and Minnesota would, in theory, be looking at a wide receiving corps like this for Week 1
- Jalen Nailor
- Rondale Mooore
- Tai Felton
- Jeshaun Jones
- Tim Jones
- Silas Bolden
Oofta. That’s why it’s so vital for Jefferson to be ready in September, while August doesn’t really matter.
Let Jefferson Heal
Thankfully, all signs point to Minnesota putting Jefferson on ice. Rushing him back for practice has no advantages, especially considering the Week 1 alternative of no Jefferson if he encountered a setback.
This is a perk of a Minnesota team that proceeds out of an abundance of caution with injuries — guaranteed rest and healing for the franchise’s best player. You don’t have to worry about Kevin O’Connell pressing the accelerator on Jefferson’s recovery.
Other Jefferson Context
SI.com‘s Tony Liebert wrote about Jefferson this week: ‘Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson remains out of Vikings training camp due to a ‘mild’ hamstring strain. With a player of Jefferson’s talent, it seems unnecessary to risk injury in late July, especially with the history of wide receivers and hamstring injuries.”
“When rushed back, it’s an injury that seems to last longer than originally expected, so it makes sense why Minnesota is overly cautious with its star wide receiver.”
Thankfully, there’s just no way in hell that the Vikings rush Jefferson back. It’s not their modus operandi.
Liebert added, “New free agent cornerback Isaiah Rodgers has been in and out of training camp with what O’Connell called ‘a little soreness,’ but it’s not expected to be anything serious.”
“There are over 40 days until the Vikings travel to Chicago for a Week 1 game against the Bears, so it’s far from the time to start being worried about minor training camp ailments. Minnesota’s first preseason game is only 11 days away on August 9 against the Texans.”
Zero worry is the major takeaway from O’Connell regarding Jefferson. The man will be just fine for the season opener in 39 days.
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