The Minnesota Vikings are off to a clean 2-0 start in 2024. But their injury situation heading into Week 3 was cloudy and included star wide receiver Justin Jefferson dealing with a quad injury.
What’s the latest on Jefferson’s status, and is he expected to play on Sunday against the Houston Texans? The final injury report is out for both teams. Here’s a look at it, plus analysis on what to expect on Sunday.
Will Justin Jefferson Play Against the Houston Texans in Week 3?
Vikings fans and Jefferson fantasy managers can relax. It’s all systems go for the explosive wide receiver for Sunday’s game against the Texans.
On ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, Jefferson spoke about his status for the game and how he was feeling heading into kickoff.
“I feel really good,” said Jefferson. “I feel like all of the guys, especially in the training room, did a great job treating my body and making sure my quad is feeling phenomenal for this game so I’m feeling ready.”
After Randy Moss asked him if he was ready for the game despite being limited in practice this week, Jefferson said, “Just because I’m limited in practice, that doesn’t mean I can’t get those mental reps. My body is always on the go. I’m always running and putting that force onto my body.
“So, whenever it’s time for me to take a seat back, and just make sure I’m getting those mental reps, I make sure I know the game plan for me to go out there and still kill it on Sunday.”
On Friday afternoon, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said that Jefferson would carry no injury designation for Sunday’s game: “No injury designation for Justin Jefferson on Sunday…he’s ready to go.”
The Vikings filed their final injury report for the week on Friday afternoon, and their star receiver did not, in fact, have any game designation, the strongest possible signal that a player will play in the upcoming game despite having practice designations during the week.
Jefferson was listed as a full participant in Friday’s practice, and he was a limited participant on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Other notable Vikings on the injury report who missed practice time this week included:
- Wide Receiver Jordan Addison (ankle)
- Center Garrett Bradbury (knee)
- Running Back Aaron Jones (hip)
- Linebacker Ivan Pace, Jr. (quad/ankle)
- Right Tackle Brian O’Neill (elbow)
- Edge Andrew Van Ginkel (foot)
- Edge Dallas Turner (knee)
Vikings are not listing Justin Jefferson on this week’s injury report for Sundays game vs. the Texans, but Minnesota has ruled out WR Jordan Addison.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
Addison, Pace, and Turner have been ruled out. No one else will carry an injury designation into Sunday’s pregame, meaning they are expected to play.
The Texans have significant questions on their injury report but the team has not yet released their final report.
Should You Start Jefferson in Fantasy Lineups?
Friday’s news, and what Jefferson said on ESPN, makes this an easy call.
Yes, Jefferson should be in all fantasy lineups for Week 3.
Jefferson has accounted for 40.3% of Sam Darnold’s passing yards this year and has also scored two touchdowns, including a 97-yarder last week against San Francisco. Jefferson’s ability to score from anywhere on the field, plus his team’s reliance on him from a volume standpoint, makes him one of the most productive options in all of fantasy football.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON 97 YARD TUDDY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0PJs9mheCK
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
“That play was just crazy,” Jefferson said on ESPN about that touchdown play on Sunday. “We walked through that whole play during the week. We got the right matchups, the right looks on defense. It was a great call on the 1-yard line.”
The absence of Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson only makes the case for starting Jefferson stronger. While Darnold does well when targeting complementary pieces, there’s no question the Vikings’ offense begins and stops with Jefferson.
When Did Justin Jefferson Get Hurt?
Jefferson injured his quad in last week’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. The injury occurred on a play in the third quarter and resulted in Jefferson missing the rest of the game.
Minnesota went on to defeat San Francisco, but questions remained immediately after the game about the status of the star receiver.
Jefferson downplayed the injury with reporters following the game, and his head coach, Kevin O’Connell, carried an optimistic tone each time he was asked publicly about his offense’s top threat.
Positive signs continued throughout the week. Jefferson participated in a Wednesday walkthrough and was limited in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, he was a full participant.
