Inside The Vikings

Kevin O'Connell Doesn't Have a Justin Jefferson Injury Update Yet

Jefferson sustained a hamstring injury during the Vikings' loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.
Will Ragatz|
Kevin O'Connell Doesn't Have a Justin Jefferson Injury Update Yet
Kevin O'Connell Doesn't Have a Justin Jefferson Injury Update Yet

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Minnesota Vikings

Vikings superstar receiver Justin Jefferson left Sunday's 27-20 loss against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury. Afterwards, head coach Kevin O'Connell didn't have an update on the timeline for the return of his team's best player.

"Justin Jefferson did sustain a hamstring injury," O'Connell said. "I'll keep you guys updated on that. Still very early. We'll see where he's at as we move along here and kind of diagnose exactly what that injury is and what that timeline looks like."

The injury occurred when Jefferson slipped while running a route in the fourth quarter. He went to the medical tent, returned to the sidelines without his helmet, and could only watch as his team came up just short for their fourth one-score loss in five weeks.

The Vikings had two chances to tie the game after Jefferson's injury, but they turned the ball over on downs in the red zone and then gave up a sack before Kirk Cousins could attempt a Hail Mary in the final seconds. Prior to leaving the game, Jefferson had just three catches for 28 yards. He also drew several penalties.

O'Connell said it was hard on Jefferson that he couldn't be on the field down the stretch.

"Yeah, it was tough on him," he said. "He's the ultimate competitor. I just spent some time quickly with him in the locker room. We'll get him back as soon as we possibly can. There won't be a better teammate in that locker room during the time — hopefully it's not, hopefully we have him right back this week."

"He's a captain, he's done everything the right way on and off the field for us as a team," O'Connell added. "I absolutely love him and what he brings from a competitiveness standpoint, setting a standard of what we're all out for. It will, no question, be something we have to work through, but I also have a lot of confidence in our offensive unit to make sure we're right where we want to be when Justin is able to come back."

Jefferson has never missed a game due to injury in his four-year career. If he does have to miss time, rookie Jordan Addison — who had six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown on Sunday — would take over in the No. 1 role alongside K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell, and possibly players like N'Keal Harry and Trishton Jackson.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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