The Minnesota Vikings‘ corps of pass catchers was already obliterated by injury, then star wide receiver Justin Jefferson got hurt.
Jefferson suffered a leg injury during the second half of the team’s Week 2 contest against the San Francisco 49ers that necessitated his exit from the field of play and a trip into the infamous blue tent on the sideline after recording 4 catches for 133 yards, including a 97-yard TD.
“#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is going to the locker room with a quad injury,” Ari Meirov of 33rd Team reported via an X post. “He is questionable to return.”
Jefferson’s official status was listed as questionable, but Judd Zulgad of SKOR North — who attended the game in Minneapolis — reported that the situation looked worse than that, at least in the short term.
“Seeing how Jefferson was walking to the locker room, I’d be very surprised to see him back today,” Zulgad reported on social media. He did not return to the game.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) were already out with injuries heading into the Vikings’ Week 2 matchup with the Niners.
Still, quarterback Sam Darnold and company managed to build a 20-7 lead over the defending NFC champions in the fourth quarter, though San Francisco cut that margin to 20-14 with just over 10 minutes to play in the game. Minnesota ultimately held on to move to 2-0 via a 23-17 victory.
Kevin O’Connell Says Justin Jefferson Day-to-Day With Quad Contusion
Following the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell offered some relief-inducing information on Jefferson’s injury.
“Kevin O’Connell said Justin Jefferson had a quad contusion after a leg-to-leg collision with Fred Warner,” Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reported via an X post. “He’s sore, O’Connell said, but should be day-to-day.”
Kevin O’Connell said Justin Jefferson had a quad contusion, after a leg-to-leg collision with Fred Warner. He’s sore, O’Connell said, but should be day-to-day.
Said Dallas Turner had a knee issue, but he doesn’t think it’s long-term.
Goessling added that O’Connell said edge rusher Dallas Turner is battling a knee injury, though that doesn’t appear to be a “long-term” concern, either.
Justin Jefferson Speaks Out on Quad Injury Following Game
Jefferson has been one of the more reliable weapons for the Vikings over his four-year-plus NFL career.
The former All-Pro wideout didn’t miss a single contest during his first three years, all of which ended with Pro Bowl honors. A hamstring strain cost Jefferson seven contests last season, though he was still able to amass 68 catches for 1,074 yards and 5 TDs.
Following his quad injury against the Niners, Jefferson stepped to the microphone and offered reassuring words to Vikings Nation about his immediate future.
“Justin Jefferson said he’s not concerned about his ‘thigh bruise, contusion, whatever you want to call it,'” Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune reported on X. “Expects to be ready for next week.”
Next on the docket for the Vikings are the Houston Texans, who will travel to Minneapolis for a showdown in Week 3.
The Texans host the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football in Week 2, and Minnesota will hold the NFC North Division lead all by itself heading into Week 3 should the Bears lose that contest.
