The Vikings will place All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson on injured reserve Tuesday morning, according to multiple reports.
Jefferson injured the hamstring in his right leg during Sunday’s 27-20 home loss to the Chiefs. He will miss a minimum of four games before he’s eligible to return to action. The news was first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Jefferson’s timetable to return from injury is uncertain and will depend on how the hamstring responds to medical treatment, according to Pelissero. The loss of Jefferson is significant for Minnesota (1-4), which will be without his services for upcoming games against the Bears, 49ers, Packers and Falcons. The earliest he could return would be in Week 10 against the Saints on Nov. 12.
The news comes less than a day after Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the team would proceed cautiously with Jefferson and wants him to be “100%” before returning to the field. The injury will mark the first missed games of Jefferson’s career. The former LSU star and three-time Pro Bowl selection has appeared in every Vikings game since he was selected with the No. 22 pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Brad Rempel / USA TODAY Sports
Jefferson ranks third in the league with 53 targets and 571 receiving yards after Week 5. He made three catches on six targets against the Chiefs before missing the final 21 snaps of the game. Last season, he led the NFL with 128 receptions and 1,809 receiving yards en route to his first All-Pro selection.
The Vikings are scheduled to play the Bears in Chicago on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Here are a few angles of how the injury to Vikings WR Justin Jefferson happened. Certainly looks like the turf contributed (Travis Kelce slipped awkwardly on it Sunday too).
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 10, 2023
US Bank Stadium is one of three left with the slit-film turf the NFL and NFLPA have been critical of. pic.twitter.com/b6oVQt8YSU
