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Kevin Seifert
EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson returned to practice Monday for the first time in 25 days as he recovers from a left hamstring strain he sustained last month.
Jefferson’s last practice took place on the second day of training camp. Given his previous hamstring issues — he missed seven games in 2023 due to a strain in the opposite leg — the Vikings opted for a cautious path in his recovery.
This cautious approach continued Monday, as he engaged in warmups and individual drills but did not participate in the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 segments. Jefferson is unlikely to play in the Vikings’ preseason finale this Friday against the Tennessee Titans but is expected to be ready for the Week 1 matchup on Sept. 8 against the Chicago Bears (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC) — a boost for Minnesota’s otherwise weakened receiving corps.
At the request of coach Kevin O’Connell, Jefferson had been sidelined for nearly all training camp practices, providing enthusiasm to the team while offering advice to fellow receivers. Although this role seemed appealing amidst the monotony of camp, Jefferson remarked, «I’m a kid at heart. I want to be out here with the guys. I want to be playing football and I want to be involved. I dislike being the only one standing on the sidelines.»
«It’s not enjoyable to just work out alone and compete against yourself. So it can be mentally challenging at times, but each day you must concentrate on what you need to focus on.»
During his time off, Jefferson dedicated efforts to understand the reasons behind his hamstring troubles over the last two years.
«What I’ve learned is that I’m different from many others,» he shared. «The way I move, the positioning of my body, the way I cut, and how I do everything is somewhat distinct from how most people operate. Therefore, in various positions, I might be placing a bit more strain on my body than a typical person would. So it’s all about putting my body in diverse positions and strengthening those areas, I would say. It’s a bit odd and somewhat hard to articulate, but honestly, it’s about putting my body in tough positions to endure being out here and managing those challenging situations.»
Jefferson’s comeback occurs during a period of uncertainty at the Vikings’ receiver position. Jordan Addison is set to serve a three-game suspension to begin the season, while presumptive No. 3 receiver Jalen Nailor has been absent from practice since incurring a hand injury last week in joint practices with the New England Patriots. O’Connell noted that Nailor is «determining what the best course of action for a return to play will be.» The coach, labeling Nailor’s status as «week-to-week,» did not confirm whether surgery is a possibility.
Throughout training camp, the Vikings have cycled through several receivers alongside Addison and Nailor, prominently featuring veterans Tim Jones, Lucky Jackson, and Thayer Thomas, as well as rookie Tai Felton.
