“I think you saw a lot of leadership from [WR] Justin [Jefferson] at one of the harder times to really show it,” Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips told reporters on Thursday. “When you’re not practicing, when you’re not in there — he’s out there at practice, he’s encouraging the guys. There was a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm just throughout the whole process.”
The Vikings‘ All-Pro receiver has been dealing with a hamstring injury throughout all of training camp, dating back to July 25th. It’s been a slow process for him to get back up to speed, though we’re finally seeing some positive updates.
As recently as two days ago, there was concern Jefferson wouldn’t play in the Vikings‘ season-opener against the Chicago Bears on Monday night. However, he wasn’t listed on the practice report on Thursday, indicating that he’s on track to play in Week 1.
Wes Phillips on Justin Jefferson’s Recovery and Mentality
Steph Chambers/GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 22: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a touchdown pass against Tre Brown #22 of the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
“I was impressed,” Phillips said about Jefferson’s leadership and involvement. “Not that I didn’t expect that from Justin, but the level of it throughout the time that he was out. And then you have a hard time not glancing over on that other field when he was getting going and running routes.”
“A lot of…my eye, the non-medical eye…I’m not Dr. Phillips, no matter what I’ve been called before by some of you,” Phillips joked with the assembled media members. “But I felt this with [Vikings TE] T.J. [Hockenson] last year, when he was rehabbing. You look at these guys sometimes, these kind of elite athletes out there on the field, and it’s like: he’s ready. Right? Like, can he be out there today? They say, ‘No, he’s got two weeks left,’ or you know ‘He’s got this much time and we’re gonna stay on this plan.’ But he was working extremely, extremely hard. He looks great. So I’m excited about the year for him.”
Justin Jefferson is the Most Important Player on the Minnesota Vikings
In his five years in the league, Jefferson only dipped below 1,400 receiving yards once: that was in 2023, when he only played 10 games, and he still had 1,074 that season. He’s amazingly consistent, rising above poor quarterback play at times to make an impact.
With the Vikings‘ No. 2 receiver, Jordan Addison, set to miss the first three games of the season with a suspension, Jefferson’s importance to the offense is only highlighted even more. Minnesota traded for WR Adam Thielen last week, reuniting him with the franchise where he built a legendary career, but no one can do what Jefferson can in this offense.
He’ll carry the torch for the Vikings once again, this time with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy running the show. McCarthy missed all of his rookie season with an injury, so this will be his first NFL start. It is imperative that Jefferson plays to give the young quarterback all the help he needs.
Vikings Coach Sends Positive Message on Justin Jefferson’s Injury Recovery