Minnesota Vikings Place Justin Jefferson on Injured Reserve Following Hamstring Injury
By Alec Lewis, Jake Ciely, and Dianna Russini
The Minnesota Vikings have made the decision to place wide receiver Justin Jefferson on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, sources within the league have revealed. This development comes after Jefferson suffered the injury during Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s what you need to know:
During the fourth quarter of the game, Jefferson was forced to pull up on a route in the red zone, causing concern for his immediate future with the team.
With this move to injured reserve, Jefferson, 24, will be sidelined for at least four games. The Vikings’ upcoming schedule includes matchups against the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and Atlanta Falcons.
Addressing the situation, Coach Kevin O’Connell stated on Monday that the team’s priority is to do what is best for Jefferson and provide him with a treatment and recovery plan that will ensure his long-term well-being.
Who Will Step Up in Jefferson’s Absence?
The responsibility for pass-catching duties will now fall on wide receiver K.J. Osborn, tight end T.J. Hockenson, and wide receiver Jordan Addison. Osborn’s familiarity with the team’s offense should allow him to seamlessly take over the “X” receiver role typically filled by Jefferson. Hockenson will remain a primary target, while Addison is expected to see an increase in opportunities.
Another potential option is offseason signee Brandon Powell, who Coach O’Connell trusts due to their previous association in Los Angeles. These four players will have a significant burden on their shoulders if Jefferson is out for an extended period of time.
The Impact on the Vikings’ Bigger Picture
The absence of Jefferson presents a challenging situation for the Minnesota Vikings as they attempt to recover from their early-season struggles. Jefferson, currently in his prime, is eligible for a contract extension. Rushing him back from a soft-tissue injury would be counterproductive considering his explosive playing style.
If the team continues to face losses in the short term and Jefferson remains sidelined, the Vikings may need to explore other options. The upcoming trade deadline on October 31st raises questions about the potential availability of players like edge rusher Danielle Hunter and even quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Fantasy Outlook
For fantasy football players, K.J. Osborn becomes a must-grab off waivers for the duration of Jefferson’s absence. Meanwhile, Jordan Addison, who spent more time out wide than Osborn, will see an increase in opportunities. Osborn ran 40 percent of the slot routes compared to Addison’s 16.7 percent, giving Addison the advantage in terms of potential points. Adding to his appeal, Addison has already shown a propensity for end zone targets.
According to fantasy writer Jake Ciely, Addison can be considered a WR2/3 option, while Osborn enters the conversation as a WR3 in the absence of Jefferson.
For further insights and recommendations, readers can dive deeper into the topic by exploring our article titled “Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 6: Streamers, Emari Demercado, K.J. Osborn, and more”.
A Look at Jefferson’s Background
Justin Jefferson has emerged as one of the NFL’s top performers since his selection in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He currently ranks third in targets (53) and receiving yards (571) across the league.
In the 2022 season, Jefferson led the NFL with an impressive 128 catches for 1,809 yards. While the Vikings exercised his fifth-year contract option in April, a long-term extension is yet to be agreed upon between the player and the team.
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(Photo: David Berding / Getty Images)