Minnesota Vikings fans eagerly await their first look at star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in preseason action as the team takes on the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. While the preseason opener isn’t usually a big deal, this game will offer crucial insights for head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff as they prep for the 2024 NFL season.
Teams often rest their top players in the early preseason games. On top of it, fans generally show interest in knowing whether they’ll be able to watch the franchise quarterbacks, but when it comes to the Vikings, there’s a non-QB superstar in the mix for whom the fans crave.
Will Justin Jefferson Take the Field Against the Las Vegas Raiders?
Vikings fans will have to wait longer to see Jefferson in action than the team’s preseason opener against the Raiders. Head coach O’Connell confirmed that, while most starters will take the field on Saturday, Jefferson and veteran safety Harrison Smith will sit this out.
However, O’Connell stressed that both players are “totally healthy” and their absence is just a safety measure to avoid injury in a preseason game. There’s no receiver in the NFL going into the 2024 season who’s better than Jefferson. While the Vikings WR is not on the field, it doesn’t mean he’ll miss out on preseason fun.
The 25-year-old Louisiana native will sit on the Vikings Radio Network broadcast crew for the third quarter of the game. The game, set for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium, will be simulcast on FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul and the NFL Network, making Jefferson’s commentary a must-listen.
The Vikings star also resolved contract issues recently, about which he said:
“Yeah, it’s cool. It’s not really something that I was really focused on. I was just going to let my play do the talking and get what I get. So I’m just happy to be back with the team, be back playing football, and put all of the contract stuff behind me.”
The decision to rest Jefferson, especially after a season where he missed seven games due to a hamstring injury, is a cautious move by the Vikings. Despite the missed time, the LSU Tigers alum surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth consecutive season. After last Friday’s training camp, Jefferson told the media:
“I’m so scared for it to happen again. I’ve been overly cautious about it, just trying to take care of my body in the right way. I’ve definitely been working on my hamstrings a little bit more and making sure I’m injury-proof.”
With Jefferson and Smith sidelined, younger players like Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell have a prime opportunity to shine.
