Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson will be returning with the team after a visit to a local hospital for evaluation following a chest injury during the first half of their 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell stated that Jefferson underwent further assessment to rule out serious internal injuries after a hit from Raiders safety Marcus Epps. Although Jefferson returned to Allegiant Field by the end of the game, his availability for the upcoming match against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday is still undetermined.
Coach O’Connell expressed relief, stating, “It looks like we avoided any significant issues there.” Jefferson’s absence was notable, contributing to the Vikings’ struggle to score until Greg Joseph kicked a 36-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining—the lowest-scoring indoor NFL game since 2007.
The decisive drive leading to the victory was orchestrated by backup quarterback Nick Mullens, who replaced Josh Dobbs in the fourth quarter. O’Connell refrained from naming a starting quarterback for future games, citing the need to assess injuries sustained by various players, including Jefferson, right tackle Brian O’Neill (ankle), and running back Alexander Mattison (ankle).
Jefferson sustained his injury with 9:54 remaining in the second quarter, making a high catch from Dobbs and facing a hard hit from Epps after a 15-yard reception. Despite playing only 13 snaps, he caught two passes for 27 yards. This game marked Jefferson’s return since a right hamstring injury in Week 4, causing him to miss seven games.
Starting the season at a blazing pace, Jefferson led the NFL with an average of 135.8 yards per game in the first four weeks, challenging Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving yardage record. However, the hamstring injury halted his progress, leaving him at 571 yards. Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins (1,481 yards) stands as the most likely candidate to break Johnson’s record this season.
Jefferson acknowledged the challenge, saying, “It’s been hard to adjust those goals honestly,” expressing the difficulty of missing seven games and witnessing other players excel. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to achieve his new goal of reaching 1,000 yards for the season.
