Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Being Handled With Caution Amid Hamstring Injury

Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a strained right hamstring during his team’s 27–20 home loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.

The injury caused Jefferson to miss the final 21 snaps of the game, which was a rare absence for the wideout. He hasn’t missed a game since he was drafted in 2020, and now that streak appears to be in jeopardy for Sunday’s game against the Bears.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday that the team wants him to be “100%” before returning to the field in order to avoid a more serious injury.

“He’s down today,” O’Connell said of Jefferson. “He’s obviously one of the most ultra-competitors I’ve ever met. He was trying to go back in the game as it was yesterday. We’re going to have to medically make a good decision and help almost protect him from himself a little bit in a way where we’ve got to take care of him and get him back to 100%.”

This said, O’Connell is not yet ready to give a definitive update about Jefferson’s status heading into Week 6.

If Jefferson misses any playing time, it will make things even tougher for the 1–4 Vikings. Jefferson ranks third in the NFL with 571 receiving yards and 53 targets.

The Vikings are slated to play the Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.