EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings granted wide receiver Justin Jefferson a practice day off on Wednesday, strategically aligning it with the team’s scheduled rest day on Thursday. When Jefferson returned to the field on Friday, he emphasized the proactive measures he and the team are taking to prevent a recurrence of the right hamstring injury that sidelined him for seven games last season.
“I’m so concerned about re-injuring it that I’ve been extremely cautious,” Jefferson said. “I’m focusing on taking proper care of my body and incorporating new practices into my routine to help me throughout the season. I’ve been paying extra attention to my hamstrings to ensure they are as resilient as possible.”
Jefferson, who celebrated his 25th birthday earlier this summer, has historically participated in nearly every first-team drill during training camp. Last season, he was on the field for 97 of the Vikings’ regular-season snaps before the injury occurred in Week 5.
The Vikings, like many teams, monitor exertion levels during practices to gauge whether players are approaching physical thresholds that could lead to injury. There have been no indications that Jefferson has experienced any setbacks or other health issues this summer. Head coach Kevin O’Connell stopped short of confirming that Jefferson is on a specific maintenance plan.
According to O’Connell, Jefferson gained valuable insights about his body from last season’s injury, and the Vikings are working to prevent him from reaching any physical stress points this summer.
“We want to ensure his training camp progress is appropriate, given that this is his first experience with such an injury,” O’Connell explained. “It’s crucial that Jefferson maintains a proper dialogue with vice president of player health and performance Tyler Williams and myself. We aim to keep him in peak physical condition as we advance through August, balancing readiness with tactical preparation.”
Jefferson is optimistic that his current approach will eventually ease his concerns about reinjury. He believes that as he continues to strengthen his hamstrings, his anxiety about the injury will diminish.
“I expect to reach a point where I no longer think about the injury,” Jefferson said. “I’m confident that I’ll build my hamstrings to a level where they’re strong enough to prevent another injury. It’s all about gaining confidence in my body so I can play without reservations.”