Justin Jefferson is sure that he will play this week despite a damaged quadriceps that forced him to leave the previous game early.
The Minnesota Vikings agree with their standout wide receiver. Jefferson was allowed to play against Houston on Sunday after practicing freely on Friday.
“He has done an excellent job of staying present, involved, and taking ownership of the strategy. He did a tremendous job today, and I believe he is ready to play,” said Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Jefferson practiced on a restricted level out of concern. The 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year stated that the injured muscle “feels great” following a hit from San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner, which pulled him out late in the third quarter last week.
“Just staying in the treatment room and making sure I feel fantastic on Sunday,” said Jefferson, who missed seven games last season due to a serious hamstring strain.
Jefferson will be missing his main teammate, Jordan Addison. The 2023 first-round draft pick, who injured his ankle in the season opener against New York, has been sidelined for the second week.
On defense, starter linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (quadriceps, ankle) and backup outside linebacker Dallas Turner (knee) are both out. No other player received an update on the Vikings’ injury report, which was issued on Friday.
Running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is doubtful for the Texans after missing all of practice this week due to an injury sustained in the previous game against Chicago. His backup, Dameon Pierce (hamstring), has also been ruled out for the second consecutive game.
Cam Akers, who played for the Vikings last year before suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon tear, will likely take the main role in the backfield, with Dare Ogunbowale following suit.
DeMeco Ryans, the Texans’ coach, believes Mixon was injured by an illegal hip-drop tackle, which the NFL is attempting to prohibit this year owing to the spike in lower-leg injuries it has caused.
T.J. Edwards, a Bears linebacker, was not penalized for his tackle during the game. Coincidentally, O’Connell stated that Addison was injured by a similar tackle by Giants linebacker Darius Muasau. He was not penalized during the game, but was later fined by the league.
O’Connell believes Addison will have a decent opportunity to play the following week against Green Bay.
“He was able to make progress, but not to the point where we could be certain he would not experience any setbacks. Jordan is always eager to go. “He was pushing to go last week,” O’Connell stated.
“The most important thing is, over the long term of the season, getting him back to a place where he’s ready to rock and roll.”
During training camp, Jefferson discussed his rehab from a hamstring injury, saying he was “so scared for it to happen again” that he focused more on preventative and proactive exercises and treatments this season. So far, the technique appears to be working.
Regarding his quadriceps injury, he believes it could have been avoided—specifically, by staying away from a player like three-time All-Pro Warner. Jefferson was hurt while blocking on a rushing play.
He was meant to stay outside and drive the 49ers cornerback away, but instead moved inside where Warner was.
“Some things you can control. I could have avoided this injury by not going in on this run play. That wasn’t my duty on that particular run, so it’s just stuff to avoid and look out for in the future,” Jefferson explained. “I’ve got to know my specific rules for next time and be a lot more smart.”
