Vikings’ Justin Jefferson suffers hamstring strain

Justin Jefferson left practice Thursday with a left hamstring strain, but the injury may not be anything to worry about. 

An MRI revealed a “mild strain” in the Vikings’ star wide receiver’s left hamstring after he removed himself from training camp and is expected to be re-evaluated next week, according to ESPN. 

Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell said he doesn’t anticipate it being long before Jefferson is back between the lines. 

“The best thing is we avoided anything serious,” O’Connell said. “I see no concerns in regards to [Week 1] and have no worry at all that we’ll be able to get Justin ready to go for the regular season.”

Jefferson echoed the same sentiment, saying after the workout that he pulled himself off the field out of precaution.

 “With the past recent injuries and the stuff that I had gone through before, just taking precautions and understanding that it’s the second day of camp — not the 30th,” Jefferson said. “Just making sure that I’m fully healthy and I’m good to go, especially when the season starts.”

Jefferson is working with new quarterback J.J. McCarthy in camp after 2024 starter Sam Darnold jumped ship for Seattle in free agency. 

O’Connell added that he has “no worries about [Jefferson’s absence] having an overall impact or effect on that dynamic or anything with our offense.”

“… I think those guys have already developed a rapport,” O’Connell said of Jefferson and McCarthy.

Jefferson, 26, missed seven games in 2023 with a hamstring injury. 

The four-time Pro Bowler is coming off one of the best seasons of his young career, catching 103 passes for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns.