Total Pro Sports
Minnesota Vikings fans are sweating over Justin Jefferson’s fitness following an injury just two days into training camp.
The star wide receiver is done practicing for this week, which will be the case until he’s re-evaluated next week.
On Friday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed to reporters that Jefferson has been sidelined with a mild hamstring strain. The injury will keep him grounded until he’s deemed fit to practice again.
“We’re going to be very cautious with it,” O’Connell said, via the team’s official website. “We’re going to hold him out for a bit and then re-evaluate him next week, when we come back later in the week. And the best thing is, we avoided anything serious.”
“I see no concerns in regards to the [season] opener,” he added. “And I have no worry at all that we’ll be able to get Justin ready to go for the regular season.”
Jefferson started practice on Thursday but left the field early, complaining of tightness in his leg. Training staff evaluated him and determined he had suffered a minor strain.
The wideout missed seven games in 2023 with a right hamstring issue, which is cause for concern, but he has asserted that this is more precautionary than anything else.
“With the past recent injuries and the stuff I went through before, just taking precaution and understanding that it’s the second day of camp, not the 30th,” he told reporters Thursday. “Just making sure that I’m fully healthy and I’m good to go, especially when the season starts.”
Of course, Justin’s absence will be significant for Minnesota, but the team is prioritizing his long-term health and trying to ensure he will be available to play in Week 1.
O’Connell also praised Jefferson for reporting his discomfort as soon as he felt it, which allowed training staff to diagnose the injury and make the best decision for the player and the team.
The Vikings are scheduled to kick off their 2025 regular-season campaign against the Chicago Bears on September 8 at Soldier Field in a Monday Night Football fixture.
