Another Big Loss

Through five games of the 2023 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings have suffered four frustrating losses on the field. They suffered another big loss yesterday when receiver Justin Jefferson was placed on injured reserve. In Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he came out of a fourth quarter route limping. I suppose that it was hoped to be a tweak, twinge, or something minor. It was reportedly a hamstring issue. Those always seem to be troublesome rather than minor. He spent the rest of the game standing on the sideline. Kevin O’Connell said in yesterday’s press conference that Jefferson lobbied to get back in the game. So, the hope here was that the injury was actually minor. Maybe he could even play in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears. Well, yesterday brought the sad, frustrating news that the injury was significant enough that Jefferson will be placed on injured reserve. The disappointing start to the season just got even more disappointing. 

Justin Jefferson will miss, at least, the next four games. 

@ Chicago Bears

San Francisco 49ers

@ Green Bay Packers

@ Atlanta Falcons

I guess this is good news for the above four slappy teams. 

As disappointing as this news is, the most important thing is getting Jefferson back to full health. I assume that he’s going to attack his recovery just as he does everything else. Completely and fiercely. The training staff will probably be challenged with protecting Jefferson from himself.

With Jefferson’s move to injured reserve, the Vikings have three receivers on the active roster.

Jordan Addison

K.J. Osborn

Brandon Powell

There are four receivers on the practice squad. 

N’Keal Harry

Trishton Jackson

Lucky Jackson 

Thayer Thomas

N’Keal Harry has been a game day elevation to the active roster twice this season. That might make him the “next man up.” His size, 6’4”, is definitely a plus. 

Justin Jefferson has been the focus of the Vikings offense pretty much since he burst on the NFL scene in the third game of the 2020 season. He’s been remarkably durable. Even though opponents have often tried to get physical with him, perhaps even trying to knock him out of the game, he’s never missed a start. He’s rarely missed a snap. This is a very foreign situation for Jefferson. And the Vikings. Without his superstar receiver, Kirk Cousins will have to rely on his entire group of pass catchers. This is a huge opportunity for Jordan Addison. The rookie that doesn’t play like a rookie will have the light shining on him. Tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver can’t have passes slipping through their hands. That goes for running back Alexander Mattison as well. The Vikings have to stop giving games away and they have to do it without their best player for, at least, the next four weeks. 

Here’s to the quick and complete return to the field of Justin Jefferson.