Justin Jefferson injury update: Vikings star helped off the field after suffering quad injury

Sarah Effress

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Justin Jefferson injury update: Vikings star helped off the field after suffering quad injury image

After having started the season with backup quarterback Sam Darnold under center, Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson left the team's Week 2 contest against the 49ers with a quad injury.

The 25-year-old was having a stellar performance before exiting at the end of the third quarter. Jefferson had caught four passes for 133 yards and one touchdown so far — a 97-yard reception.

Jefferson dealt with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for several games last season as well. Should this issue prove to be serious, it would weaken an already thin Vikings receiver room with Jordan Addison on the bench with an ankle injury.

Here's everything to know about Jefferson's injury, including how the Vikings star was helped off the field after suffering a quad injury.

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Justin Jefferson injury update

Jefferson entered the locker room with eight seconds remaining in the third quarter after having his legs swept from under him off the ball on 2nd & 4 from San Francisco's 25. He was helped off the field with a slight limp and looked at in the tent before eventually walking under his own power into the tunnel. Shortly after, he was ruled questionable for the remainder of the game with a quad injury.

Here's a look at the play Jefferson was injured on, with the receiver lined up at the top of the video. He appears to collide with San Francisco's Fred Warner who was also knocked up on the play.

After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell revealed that Jefferson's injury is a quad contusion and the receiver will be day-to-day for the upcoming week. Better known as a severe bruise, contusions usually aren't serious enough to keep a player sidelined for more than one week if they miss a game at all.

Jefferson himself also spoke postgame. He stated he was feeling "good" and the team "played tremendous ball all around," emphasizing winning is all that matters. The receiver also addressed his injury.

"I'm not seriously injured, so that's the main important thing," Jefferson said. "It's just all about getting to the training room, making sure my body is right for next week and I'll be ready to go next Sunday.

"Not overly concerned, just a little thigh, bruise, contusion, whatever you want to call it," he continued. "Something that happens a lot during football, just like I said just got to treat it, get it feeling well and we'll be ready to go next week."

Jefferson appears on track to play in Week 3, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said Monday.

Justin Jefferson stats today

  • REC/TGTS: 4-7
  • YDS: 133
  • AVG: 33.3
  • TD: 1
  • LONG: 97

After accumulating 21 yards on two receptions in the Vikings' first drive before the team marched downfield for a field goal on drive two, Jefferson extended the lead with the longest touchdown reception of his career. Darnold found the receiver around the 45-yard line from deep in his own end zone, and all Jefferson had to do was beat two defenders for the 97-yard score.

The touchdown is also the second-longest through the air in Vikings history, behind only the 99-yard score by Bernard Berrian in 2008.

Jefferson would only make one more catch before exiting the game, a 16-yard effort to the San Francisco 39 just before halftime.

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Justin Jefferson career stats

The star receiver has steadily improved throughout his career since 2020, with the exception of missing his first handful of games last year due to a hamstring issue. Already, he has been selected to three Pro Bowls and was named the 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Prior to this season, Jefferson signed a record-breaking four-year $140 million contract worth $35 million annually. It made him the richest player in the NFL this season as well as tied Davante Adams total contract value for highest paid receiver of all time. 

Here's a look at how the 25-year-old has worked his way into the ranks of the league's most highly regarded receivers.

YearGPREC-TGTSYDSAVGTDLNGFUM
20201688-1251,40015.97711
202117108-1671,61615.010561
202217128-1841,80914.18640
20231068-1001,07415.85521

Sarah Effress

Sarah Effress Photo

Sarah Effress is an editorial intern for The Sporting News. She is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, and loves to talk soccer and women's college sports.