With a quad injury, Minnesota Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson left the game early in Sunday’s 23-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Jefferson was helped off the field after sustaining the injury on a rushing play during the fourth quarter of play. Following the game, Jefferson told reporters that his injury was not significant. “I’m in good spirits. We triumphed. According to ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry, Jefferson assured reporters following the game, “I’m not seriously injured.” That, then, is the most crucial factor.
All I have to do is get to the gym, make sure my body is set for the upcoming week, and I’ll be ready to go on Sunday.” Following the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Vikings stated that Jefferson’s injury was caused by an inadvertent tangle with 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, who was attempting to make a play in the run game.
“It was a quad contusion… it’s pretty sore, but he’s already up and moving,” Kevin O’Connell stated during his news conference following the game. “We’ll treat that thing and hopefully he’ll be day-to-day and we’ll see how his status looks for next week.” Tight end T.J. Hockeson and wide receiver Jordan Addison, who was out due to an ankle injury, were already absent for the Vikings heading into the contest.
At the end of a game that was decided by a single score, the Vikings prevailed over the NFC Champions despite being without their three best players. The Vikings will be hoping for Jefferson’s return for their game against the Houston Texans the following week, since their receiving core is severely depleted. In the second quarter of the game, Jefferson produced one of the most important plays of the day before becoming hurt.
The Vikings regained possession of the ball after their defense successfully stopped a fourth-and-goal attempt to maintain a 3-0 lead. Vikings QB Sam Darnold found Jefferson for a 97-yard touchdown pass while starting from his own end zone. Before sprinting past the 49ers defensive backs to score the touchdown, Jefferson had gotten past two 49ers defenders and received the ball close to the 50-yard line.
With four receptions for 133 yards and the touchdown, Jefferson concluded the game. In addition, he crossed 6,000 career receiving yards, which tied him with Hall of Fame receiver Lance Alworth for the fastest career 6,000 receiving yard mark.
