Young boy breaks news that Justin Jefferson will play Saturday

"You going to play on Saturday?" a boy wearing a Jefferson jersey asked. "Yes, sir," Jefferson replied.

Author:
Joe Nelson
Publish date:
Dec 13, 2023 8:32 AM EST

Justin Jefferson says he's going to play Saturday when the Vikings visit the Bengals.

Jefferson and fellow wide receiver K.J. Osborn took kids in the Twin Cities on a holiday shopping extravaganza on Tuesday, and one boy took the opportunity to break some news.

"You going to play on Saturday?" a boy wearing a Jefferson jersey asked. "Yes, sir," Jefferson replied. KSTP-TV's cameras captured the moment.

As Jefferson later posted on X, it was a "memory that will last forever." It also pushed aside any doubt that the superstar receiver will play after being sent to the hospital following a hard hit in Sunday's game against the Raiders.

"Justin Jefferson and his chest injury, out of precaution, did go to a local hospital and get some procedural tests done. Just to rule out any possible internal complications that could come from a hit like that," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday.

Jefferson was hit hard in his back after reaching up to catch a high pass from Josh Dobbs over the middle of the field in the second quarter. He went to the sideline, the blue medical tent, the locker room and then to a local hospital for evaluation.

"He's doing pretty well today and it's just a matter of continuing to monitor any potential things that could arise," O'Connell added Monday.

Jefferson had two catches for 27 yards. It was his first game in more than two months because of a strained hamstring that he suffered Oct. 5 against the Chiefs.