Another issue: Minnesota Vikings had sad news

admin | December 11, 2023 | Minnesota Vikings | No Comments

Justin Jefferson of the Vikings escapes a “significant” injury; Benched Josh Dobbs

Justin Jefferson, a receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, suffered a chest injury during the first half of the team’s 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Jefferson visited a nearby hospital and will now return home with the team.

Following a hit by Raiders safety Marcus Epps, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell stated that the team sent Jefferson for additional testing to rule out any major internal injuries. At the conclusion of the game, Jefferson made his way back to Allegiant Field; however, it is currently unknown if he will be prepared to play against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.

“Looks like we got away with anything major there,” O’Connell remarked.

The Vikings failed to score until Greg Joseph made a 36-yard field goal with 1:57 left in the game, largely due to Jefferson’s absence. It was the first 3-0 finish in an NFL indoor game since 2007 and had the lowest scoring total ever.

Nick Mullens, the backup quarterback for the Vikings who took Josh Dobbs’ place halfway through the fourth quarter, led the team on their winning drive.

O’Connell stated that he was not yet prepared to declare a starting quarterback going forward, citing the need to evaluate additional injuries sustained on Sunday, including those to running back Alexander Mattison’s ankle and right tackle Brian O’Neill’s ankle.

With 9:54 left in the second quarter, Jefferson was hurt when he leaped to grab a high pass from Dobbs and was struck hard by Epps following a 15-yard reception. Jefferson left the field right away after grabbing his lower back. He played a total of 13 snaps and caught two passes on three targets for 27 yards.

He was participating in his first match since missing seven games due to a right hamstring injury sustained in Week 5. On Sunday, he jogged onto the field for the game’s second play, but he did not start.

The first four weeks of this season saw Jefferson average an NFL-high 135.8 yards per game, which by Week 15 would have completely destroyed Calvin Johnson’s NFL single-season receiving yardage record (1,964). Since sustaining the hamstring injury, Jefferson had only accumulated 571 yards; this season, Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins (1,481 yards) has the best chance of surpassing Johnson’s record.

Last week, Jefferson declared that he wanted to finish the season with 1,000 yards. That could be challenging given his most recent injury.

As Jefferson admitted last week, “it’s been hard to adjust those goals honestly.” “To have missed seven games this season, especially considering how quickly I was playing prior to the injury. It’s a little difficult to watch Tyreek go bonkers each week and to watch other players in the league accomplish amazing things. It’s been difficult because this is my first season in the league that I’ve been injured.”

After suffering a hard hit to the chest, Justin Jefferson might be able to play for the Vikings this week.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) —Coach Kevin O’Connell stated on Monday that wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings has a “good chance” to play this week after escaping internal injury from the flying hit he took while catching a pass that ended his return to action.

Jefferson was injured again, missing seven games due to a hamstring strain. On Sunday in Las Vegas, Raiders safety Marcus Epps gave him a hard smack from the side after he went high for a 15-yard completion in the second quarter.

Swiftly grabbing his lower back, Jefferson carefully walked off the field to take a break and ended up inside the blue medical tent for a more thorough assessment. After a chest injury that the Vikings reported, they ultimately sent him to the hospital as a precautionary measure for additional testing.

Justin Jefferson injured again against Raiders, questionable to return - Daily Norseman

Following the 3-0 triumph, Jefferson—who was named the 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year—reached home with the team. O’Connell stated that Jefferson’s standing is evaluated on a daily basis. On Saturday, the Vikings travel to Cincinnati.

According to O’Connell, “he’s doing pretty well today.” “We’ll have to wait and see what he’s like in terms of his capacity to prepare throughout the week and feel confident and prepared for Saturday, but it’s just a matter of keeping an eye out for anything that might come up.”

During the game, the Vikings also lost running back Alexander Mattison and right tackle Brian O’Neill due to sprained ankles. Both players, according to O’Connell, escaped more serious injuries.