After starting the season with backup quarterback Sam Darnold under center, Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson left the team’s Week 2 game against the 49ers with a quadriceps injury.
The 25-year-old had a breakout performance before leaving the field late in the third quarter. Jefferson had already caught four passes for 133 yards and a touchdown, making for a 97-yard reception.
Jefferson also dealt with a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for several games last season. If that problem proves serious, it would weaken a Vikings receiving corps already depleted with Jordan Addison on the bench with an ankle injury.
Here’s everything you need to know about Jefferson’s injury, including how the Vikings star was helped off the field after suffering a quadriceps injury.
Justin Jefferson injury update
Jefferson entered the locker room with eight seconds remaining in the third quarter after having his legs torn off by the ball on second-and-4 from the San Francisco 25-yard line. He was helped off the field with a slight limp and examined in the tent before eventually walking under his own power down the tunnel. Shortly thereafter, he was declared doubtful for the remainder of the game with a quadriceps injury.
Here’s a look at the scene where Jefferson was injured, with the receiver lined up at the top of the video. He appears to collide with San Francisco’s Fred Warner who was also injured at the scene.
?VIDEO?#Vikings Star Justin Jefferson was injured and in a lot of pain.
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It didn’t look very good. pic.twitter.com/DNFTwaE9Y0
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 15, 2024
Justin Jefferson is currently being examined in the medical tent, leg injury ? pic.twitter.com/y4Opo7iLkc
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) September 15, 2024
After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed that Jefferson’s injury was a quadriceps contusion and that the receiver would be considered day-to-day over the next week. Better known as a severe bruise, contusions are typically not severe enough to keep a player out of action for more than a week if he misses a game.
#Vikings Coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters that WR Justin Jefferson has a quadriceps contusion after a collision with #49ers LB Fred Warner. He will be day to day.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2024
Jefferson himself spoke after the game. He said he felt “great” and that the team “played a great game in every aspect,” emphasizing that winning is all that matters. The receiver also addressed his injury.
“I’m not seriously injured, so that’s the most important thing,” Jefferson said. “It’s just getting in the training room, making sure my body is ready for next week and I’ll be ready to go next Sunday.”
“I’m not too worried, just a little hamstring, a bruise, whatever you want to call it,” he continued. “Something that happens a lot in football, like I said, just treat it, make him feel good and we’ll be ready next week.”
Justin Jefferson spoke in the locker room after the Vikings’ 23-17 Week 2 win over the 49ers, whom he left early.
He said his injury was not serious, calling it a “thigh bruise” and said he expected to play next week against Houston.@kare11 #Skol pic.twitter.com/8z3Hnw5gCP
— JT Messinger (@JTMessinger) September 15, 2024
Jefferson appears on track to play week 3NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Monday.
Justin Jefferson Stats Today
- REC/TGTS: 4-7
- YDS: 133
- AVERAGE : 33.3
- TD: 1
- LONG: 97
After rushing for 21 yards on two receptions on the Vikings’ opening drive before the team drove down the field for a field goal on the second drive, Jefferson extended the lead with the longest touchdown reception of his career. Darnold found the receiver near the 45-yard line from his own end zone, and all Jefferson had to do was beat two defenders for a 97-yard touchdown.
The touchdown is also the second-longest in the air in Vikings history, behind only Bernard Berrian’s 99-yard touchdown in 2008.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON 97 YARDS TUDDY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0PJs9mheCK
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Jefferson made just one more catch before leaving the game, a 16-yard effort to the San Francisco 39-yard line just before halftime.
WEEK 2 FANTASY RANKINGS:
QB | RB | WR | YOU | D/ST | Kickers
Justin Jefferson Career Statistics
The star receiver has continued to improve throughout his career since 2020, with the exception of missing his first few games last year with a hamstring issue. He has already been selected to three Pro Bowls and was named the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year by the AP.
Before this season, Jefferson signed a record-breaking four-year contract worth $140 million, with an annual value of $35 million. He became the NFL’s richest player this season and tied Davante Adams’ contract total for the highest-paid receiver of all time.
Here’s a look at how the 25-year-old has carved his way into the ranks of the league’s most reputable receivers.
| Year | General practitioner | REC-TGTS | YDS | Average | TD | LNG | SMOKE |
| 2020 | 16 | 88-125 | 1,400 | 15.9 | 7 | 71 | 1 |
| 2021 | 17 | 108-167 | 1,616 | 15.0 | 10 | 56 | 1 |
| 2022 | 17 | 128-184 | 1,809 | 14.1 | 8 | 64 | 0 |
| 2023 | 10 | 68-100 | 1,074 | 15.8 | 5 | 52 | 1 |
