Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
On Saturday the Minnesota Vikings finished their second preseason game. By design, J.J. McCarthy did not play. He did the heavy lifting during joint practices against the New England Patriots this week.
The outcome was rather sloppy, and it was clear head coach Kevin O’Connell was interested in trying different things while leaving points on the board. The preseason is a proving ground though, and that’s what the team has been interested in.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The next thing needing to be proven is that Justin Jefferson is healthy. He is coming up on a month without practicing, and time is ticking before Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
Justin Jefferson eyeing a return for MN Vikings
Kevin O’Connell already knows he’s going to be thin at wide receiver for a bit with Jordan Addison suspended for three weeks. Rondale Moore is now done for the season, and Jalen Nailor is banged up as well. To say the Vikings wide receiver situation is suboptimal would be putting it lightly. Thankfully ESPN’s Kevin Seifert suggests Justin Jefferson is on his way back.
Jefferson last practiced 23 days ago. Anyone who has been to camp has seen him bouncing around the practice field. Team/Jefferson have prioritized health for Week 1 over whatever benefits exist for working with the rest of the offense. https://t.co/ZPN3DlO2YJ
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 16, 2025
It never made sense for Jefferson to play in the preseason whether he was healthy or not. The Vikings employ arguably the best wideout in the league, and he has nothing to prove in games that don’t matter.
That doesn’t mean they don’t need to see him on the practice field. It would have been good if Jefferson could have gotten reps against the New England Patriots during joint practices this week. He instead jovially jogged onto the field and operated in more of a coaching capacity.
Minnesota travels to Tennessee next week for their final preseason game. Jefferson isn’t going to compete there either, but a looming return to practice is a significant positive.
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The Vikings need their superstar back on the outside. They also need to look elsewhere considering the continued constraints from the position. Odell Beckham Jr. still looks like a realistic option.
Vikings relying heavily on Justin Jefferson
The 22nd overall pick during the 2020 NFL Draft has ascended to immediate Hall of Fame consideration. Justin Jefferson earned his gaudy extension, and everything he has provided on the field backs that notion.
Through five NFL seasons Jefferson has never failed to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. His 1,809 led the league in 2022, and he has twice been named a first-team All-Pro while earning Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022.
Ya I think Justin Jefferson’s hammy is ok 😂 pic.twitter.com/YQqUJY9xfg
— Vikings Central (@VikesCentral) August 12, 2025
Last season, with the since-departed Sam Darnold, Jefferson grabbed ten touchdowns for the second time in his career. He’s a key cog in whatever expectations there are for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. He must be a reliable asset early and often this season if the Vikings are going to compete.
Related: What We Learned About the MN Vikings in Sloppy Preseason Showing vs Patriots
Minnesota got just 10 games (9 starts) from Jefferson in 2023 after he suffered a hamstring injury against the Chicago Bears. They have played it safe with a less severe issue this time around. Now both parties need to rip off the band-aid and hope he’s ready to go.
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