Vikings star Justin Jefferson left Sunday’s game against the Chiefs in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. After much confusion about the severity of the injury and how long he would be out, we now know: Minnesota plans to place the star WR on injured reserve NFL Media and confirmed by CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.
The exact timeline is still being determined based on how long Jefferson needs to heal and how he responds to treatment. But he’s out at least four games, a devastating blow to the Vikings.
Jefferson slipped on the turf at US Bank Stadium while running a route against Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie near the end of Kansas City’s 27-20 win in Week 5. He was deemed doubtful to return and remained on the sidelines after limping to medical attention. But he didn’t take another snap before the final whistle, leaving rookie Jordan Addison as the top passing target for Kirk Cousins.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell made a personal visit to Jefferson’s locker on his way to the podium after the game and tried to comfort the wideout, who wasn’t speaking to reporters. On Monday, O’Connell told reporters that Jefferson would seek multiple medical reports on his hamstrings.
“We need to get an MRI of it and take a look at it and figure out exactly what it is, where it is, if there are any other factors that are at play and then make the best decision for him to get him.” “To get back to 100 percent as quickly as possible,” he said. “He’s down today. He’s obviously one of the most extreme competitors I’ve ever met and he was trying to get back into the game like it was yesterday. So we have to make a good decision from a medical perspective and help protect him almost a little bit from himself.