Receiver Justin Jefferson has words meant to soothe the concerns of Vikings fans who watched him get injured at the end of the third quarter of Sunday’s 23-17 win over the 49ers.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson ‘day to day’ after exiting 49ers win with quad injury
Star receiver Justin Jefferson was “not overly concerned” about the thigh bruise that caused him to limp off the field in the third quarter after four catches for 133 yards vs. the 49ers.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
September 15, 2024 at 11:07PM
Jefferson said he might not miss additional game time after sitting out the rest of Sunday’s victory. He had four catches for 133 yards, including a career-long, 97-yard touchdown. Jefferson was evaluated in the team’s medical tent and headed for the locker room, from where he spoke with reporters after the game.
“Not overly concerned,” Jefferson said. “Just a little thigh bruise, contusion, whatever you want to call it. Something that happens a lot in the game. Just got to treat it up, get it figured out, and be ready to go next week.”
Head coach Kevin O’Connell echoed Jefferson’s outlook.
“It was a quad contusion,” O’Connell said. “I think [49ers linebacker] Fred Warner might have went flying in to make a play, like he does a lot, and Justin was working in the run on the back side and got a — not intentional — but got a little leg-to-leg contact on that.”
“He’s pretty sore,” O’Connell added. “But he’s already up and moving. We’ll just treat that thing and hopefully he’ll be day to day and we’ll see how his status looks for next week.”
Jefferson surpassed 6,000 career receiving yards in his 62nd game, tying Lance Alworth for the fastest player to reach that mark. He’s the third-fastest receiver to surpass 400 catches, too, behind Michael Thomas and Odell Beckham Jr.
His longest career touchdown, a 97-yard catch and run in the second quarter, helped.
“One of the prettiest throws I’ve seen,” O’Connell said. “It actually goes back to a look we ran on them last year. Similar presentation, similar everything. That one has been in the hopper for a little bit.”
O’Connell and Jefferson commended the accuracy and arm strength from quarterback Sam Darnold on a play that Jefferson said they practiced routinely.
“We didn’t practice it being on the 3-yard line and us going 97 [yards],” Jefferson said. “A great, great ball by Sam to trust the double team and for me to run right through it.”
Receiver Jalen Nailor, who had three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown while replacing the injured Jordan Addison, sped downfield to throw a late block and help Jefferson score.
“I was just trying to meet him at the end zone to celebrate with him,” Nailor said. “I saw him cut back, and your legs get heavy once you do that. Just tried to help get him in there.”
Edge rusher Dallas Turner, the rookie first-round pick, will undergo further testing on his knee after suffering an injury in the fourth quarter. The Vikings “more than likely” aren’t expecting a long-term injury, O’Connell said.
O’Neill playing through elbow injury
Right tackle Brian O’Neill played the game with a bulky brace on his right elbow, which got struck by a “pretty violent hit” during Wednesday’s practice and had him listed questionable entering the game. O’Neill, a team captain, said he underwent medical imaging that determined his elbow was good to keep playing.
“There was no real doubt,” O’Neill said. “Everything structurally is OK.”
Safety Harrison Smith (hip) and right guard Ed Ingram (triceps) also played despite being listed questionable entering the game. O’Neill said he’s not “big on predictions,” but a win against the 49ers shows their potential.
“We saw what this team can do,” O’Neill said. “It’s on us to keep pushing the needle to get better, but today is a good example of what we can do.”
A special fan in the stands
A year ago, safety Camryn Bynum intercepted 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy to seal a Vikings win on “Monday Night Football.” Afterward, Bynum used the postgame interview to call for help in getting his wife, Lalaine, a visa to enter the United States from the Philippines, her home country. She had been denied multiple times, Bynum said. The offices of Minnesota Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar reached out and soon Lalaine could gain legal entry to the country.
During this win against the 49ers, Lalaine was in the stands at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“This was her first home opener,” said Bynum, whose mother, Jen, is third generation Filipino-American, “and it was against the 49ers, so it’s cool that she was able to come here and see us win since she missed it last year. Having that support is amazing.”
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Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is completing more passes more often for more touchdowns than he ever has. “What we’re trying to get from Sam is to play the best football of his career,” coach Kevin O'Connell said.
