” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/jjetsjax.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=619,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/jjetsjax.jpg”> Just because Justin Jefferson is in line to play on Monday Night Football<\/a><\/em> next week doesn\u2019t mean the man\u2019s hamstring is 100%.<\/p>\n The latest injury update on Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is a bit concerning, leaving folks a little anxious about his long-term health.<\/strong><\/p>\n That\u2019s the word this week from the Star Tribune<\/em>, with the regular season just five days away.<\/p>\n Worrying about Jefferson\u2019s hamstring may morph into a 2025 storyline for the purple team.<\/p>\n Jefferson\u2019s hamstring recovery isn\u2019t cut and dried. <\/strong><\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/USATSI_24301260.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/USATSI_24301260.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/USATSI_24301260.jpg” alt=”Justin Jefferson runs after catch against Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium.”> According to Star Tribune\u2019<\/em>s Ben Goessling, <\/em>Jefferson\u2019s hamstring maintenance isn\u2019t over. It\u2019s not a summer thing that has passed.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this is going to be a long-term maintenance thing. He\u2019s had enough hamstring stuff at this point that I would not be surprised \u2014 he practices hard and he does not like to miss practices \u2014 I wonder if they will mitigate any of that,\u201d Goessling said on KFAN<\/a> this week.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there are weeks coming up where you see that he was limited in a practice and he shows up (on the injury report) with a hamstring, I don\u2019t know that that will mean that there\u2019s anything new. I don\u2019t know that that\u2019s going to happen. Just kind of putting pieces together, it wouldn\u2019t shock me if there are weeks where they say, \u2018Hey, we gotta pull this back\u2019 just a little for maintenance perspective because you don\u2019t want those things to become regular issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Some onlookers had operated under the pretense that Jefferson was \u201cgood to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Goessling continued, \u201cWe\u2019re going to see him continue to get stretched out, I imagine. There will be a lot of practices where during the brief open period for the media it\u2019ll be, \u2018OK, where is he?\u2019 \u2014 and he\u2019s inside getting stretched out or he may be outside in the side tent doing those things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would expect this is something they continue to keep a pretty close eye on because hamstrings seem like they are a consistent enough issue for him at this point that I think they\u2019re going to treat it with quite a bit of attention.\u201d<\/p>\n What does this mean? Simple \u2014 until an unknown date, Vikings faithful will monitor Jefferson\u2019s performance and status while hoping for the best.<\/p>\n He\u2019s not on track to miss any games \u2014 he\u2019ll play almost for sure against the Chicago Bears \u2014 and the situation will become a waiting game, where no news is good news<\/em>.<\/p>\n Thankfully, the injury occurred in late July<\/a>, so the phenom playmaker has had over five weeks to take it easy.<\/p>\n Hamstring ailments aren\u2019t new for Jefferson.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/USATSI_22199988_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/USATSI_22199988_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/USATSI_22199988_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt=”Justin Jefferson reacts with Kerby Joseph during Vikings-Lions game.” > He suffered a hamstring injury in 2023<\/a>, three weeks before Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles and subsequently ended his career in purple. Jefferson missed seven games altogether that season \u2014 the Joshua Dobbs<\/a> year \u2014 and famously registered over 1,000 yards (1,074) in a ten-game sample.<\/p>\n Jefferson should be rather familiar with the hamstring recovery process. It\u2019s apparently his kryptonite.<\/p>\n To be clear: Jefferson will probably<\/em> be fine, and this development will vanish by midseason or so. <\/p>\n Still, Minnesota recently traded for Adam Thielen from the Carolina Panthers and has Jalen Nailor and Tai Felton hungry for wide receiver targets. T.J. Hockenson<\/a>, the club\u2019s TE1, also has a full offseason and summer under his belt for the first time in two years, and the 28-year-old has the capability of turning into a target hog.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/USATSI_24667479.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/USATSI_24667479.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/USATSI_24667479.jpg” alt=”Adam Thielen leaves field after Panthers win vs. Saints.”> Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who will make his first career start on Monday night, won\u2019t have WR2 Jordan Addison. A three-game suspension awaits Addison, and he\u2019s on deck to return in Week 4 in Ireland against Aaron Rodgers<\/a> and the Pittsburgh Steelers.<\/p>\n The Thielen trade feels more vital than ever. <\/p>\nFootball Latest Injury Update for Justin Jefferson Raises Questions<\/h2>\n
Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) runs after the catch against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
Justin Jefferson\u2019s Hamstring Issue Isn\u2019t Wholly Resolved<\/h3>\n
So \u2026 Hope for the Best?<\/h3>\n
The 2023 Injury<\/h3>\n
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts with Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
The Rest of the Vikings\u2019 WR Crew<\/h3>\n
Nov 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) walks off after a win against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
SI.com\u2019s Take on Jefferson<\/h3>\n
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