Young Fan Gets Justin Jefferson to Clarify Status for Vikings-Bengals in Genuine Exchange

This youngster might be the next great NFL insider.
Young Fan Gets Justin Jefferson to Clarify Status for Vikings-Bengals in Genuine Exchange
Young Fan Gets Justin Jefferson to Clarify Status for Vikings-Bengals in Genuine Exchange /
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Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson updated his injury status in a unique way Tuesday night.

Instead of waiting for a social media post from an NFL insider or Minnesota’s injury report, Jefferson—who suffered a chest injury in the second quarter of the Vikings’ 3–0 win over the Raiders on Sunday—broke the news himself at a charity event in a heartfelt exchange with a young fan.

“You going to play on Saturday?” a young fan asked Jefferson during a holiday shopping spree for Minnesota families from The Salvation Army.

“Yes, sir,” Jefferson replied.

There it is.

Jefferson missed seven contests with a hamstring injury earlier this season. He returned Sunday against Las Vegas but didn’t make it to halftime after taking a hard hit from Raiders safety Marcus Epps.

Jefferson was taken to a local hospital for further inspection of the chest injury. On Monday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the star receiver was day-to-day.

Thanks to this youngster, though, Minnesota fans and fantasy football managers can expect Jefferson to play in a crucial Week 15 matchup against former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals on Saturday.


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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.