The Minnesota Vikings put together a 14-play, 62-yard drive in the middle of the fourth quarter last Sunday to put away the San Francisco 49ers along the way to a 23-17 victory.
The good news is that drive helped move the Vikings to 2-0. The bad news is that the drive happened despite the absence of Justin Jefferson, who left the game in the third quarter with a quad contusion.
With Jefferson unable to return to the game last Sunday, questions immediately surfaced about his availability this Sunday when the Vikings host the Houston Texans. Here’s the latest on the Jefferson quad injury and his chances of suiting up on Sunday.
Will Justin Jefferson Play in Week 3 vs. the Houston Texans?
On Friday afternoon, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell made it official; Justin Jefferson is ready to go. O’Connell revealed that Jefferson will carry no injury designation for the game.
Ever since Jefferson left the field in Minnesota on Sunday, all indications were positive about his prognosis. Jefferson downplayed the injury to reporters after the game and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell carried a cautiously optimistic tone each time he spoke publicly after the game, and prior to Friday’s announcement.
On late Thursday afternoon, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert asked Justin Jefferson if he was playing on Sunday against the Texans. His answer was, “Yeah, for sure.”
Jefferson reportedly went on to say that his quad feels “great” after receiving treatment from the training staff each day.
Earlier there was yet another strong signal that Jefferson will avoid missing any time due to the injury, as ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday that the team’s star receiver was participating in Wednesday’s walkthrough.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson participated in today’s walk through, despite his quad injury. It looks as if he is on track to play Sunday vs. the Texans. pic.twitter.com/GvL9tpGKYQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
While Jefferson’s competitiveness and integrity would drive him to participate in a walkthrough regardless of his physical status, teams are typically conservative in permitting on-field activity for injured players this early in the week.
Jefferson’s participation in Wednesday’s walkthrough is the latest — and strongest — sign yet that he’ll be available for the Vikings on Sunday.
Should You Start Jefferson in Fantasy Lineups?
Short answer: Yes.
O’Connell made it official on Friday, and with no injury designation, keep Jefferson in your lineup as WR1.
It’s unusual for a player of Jefferson’s importance, who is dealing with a soft tissue injury to their lower body, to participate in a Wednesday walkthrough, so Schefter’s report should yield optimism for those rostering and expecting to start the Vikings’ star.
Jefferson scored touchdowns in each of Minnesota’s first two games and has accounted for 40.3% of Sam Darnold’s passing yards in 2024. Against New York in Week 1, Jefferson was targeted just six times, a modest amount considering he averages 9.5 targets per game in his career.
Last Sunday, Jefferson had already seen seven targets by the time he left with the injury. Of course, his status bears monitoring going forward this week, but all signs are pointing toward a start for Jefferson in Week 3.
Who Are Other Fantasy Options To Consider on the Vikings?
Jalen Nailor, Wide Receiver
While Jefferson has accounted for the lion’s share of Darnold’s passing yardage, it’s also true that the Vikings have found success in targeting other receivers. Darnold has an 82.4% completion rate when targeting anyone else this season.
Jalen Nailor, who hauled in a touchdown earlier in the game, stepped up in Jefferson’s stead against San Francisco, securing a 26-yard reception on 3rd-and-8 to put the Vikings within field-goal range.
Nailor did the same in Week 1 when Jordan Addison left because of injury, scoring only moments after from 21 yards out to give Minnesota a 21-3 lead.
Darnold and Nailor have connected four times on five targets through two games.
Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, Running Backs
Another angle to consider as an alternative to Jefferson is at running back, where Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler provide the Vikings — and fantasy football managers — with a worthy one-two punch.
In Week 1, Jones rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while in Week 2, it was Chandler who led the way with 82 yards rushing on 10 carries.
While it’s tenuous at times to choose between two backs in a backfield-by-committee approach, there could be plenty of touches to be had here because both players are capable on passing downs as well as on the ground.
Jordan Addison (Wide Receiver), T.J. Hockenson (Tight End)
Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson would ordinarily stand to gain the most from Jefferson’s absence, but both pass catchers are dealing with injuries themselves. Addison was unable to play last week because of an ankle injury sustained in Week 1, and Hockenson was placed on injured reserve before the season started.
