Very Optimistic Justin Jefferson Injury Update via KOC and Paul Allen

The 2-0 Minnesota Vikings are matched up this Sunday against one of the leading Super Bowl favorites, both entering the season, and now, the Houston Texans, who are also undefeated, after two weeks.

It’s the second of three games that were circled as arguably the most difficult stretch on Minnesota’s 2024 schedule . Last Sunday, Justin Jefferson and the Vikings kicked off their early gauntlet run with a convincing victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Another prove it week for the Minnesota Vikings

Following their game vs the Texans, the Vikings will go back on the road, to play the Green Bay Packers. We know this team has already started the season on a much more positive note than just about any pundit expected.

As a surprise 2-0 team, week three vs Houston is not a ‘must-win’ game. It is, however, another measuring stick matchup, just like last week vs the Niners. The Vikings enter as home underdogs ( +2.5 ) for the second game in a row. How do they pull off another upset?

One major factor is the health of Justin Jefferson. He left the game vs San Francisco early, with what head coach Kevin O’Connell described after as a “quad contusion” . Since then, the tone around JJ’s likely status for Sunday has been quietly optimistic.

Justin Jefferson unofficial injury update sounds very optimistic

Late Tuesday morning, KOC sat down with Paul Allen on KFAN Radio . We didn’t get an official update. But both the head coach and voice of the Vikings perpetuated some pretty intense positivity, on the subject. The radio host tried to fly by the injury update and move on, but O’Connell insisted on digging in.

Related: Familiar Running Back in Line to Start for Texans vs Minnesota Vikings

So, PA took that as permission to give his own non-official update on JJ’s likely status too. By the end of the conversation, official or not, it sounds pretty clear that Justin Jefferson is not going to miss this game vs the Houston Texans.

PA : “[You] talked about [Justin] Jefferson yesterday, assumedly [his injury is] still day-to-day… gotta get to Wednesday, and see how things go? Ok cool…”

KOC : “He’s doing well, though. He is doing really well and he has responded really well to treatment early on and we will see how his week kind of progresses.”

PA : “The difference between a head coach into a microphone and the announcer into the microphone; the way I put it is, he ain’t missing the Diggs game. That’s it, Justin is not missing the Diggs game.”

KOC : “I wouldn’t discount the Stingley aspect of it, either.”

PA : “What do you mean?”

KOC : “Those two, the LSU side of things. He’s becoming one of the premier [cornerbacks in the league].”

PA : “Oh LSU, Derek Stingley Jr, 3rd overall pick in 2022…”

KOC : “Yeah… before the end of the week, that storyline might materialize a little bit between those two guys, I know they’re close.”

KFAN Radio – Nine to Noon with Paul Allen

Whether you take the I gotta show up Stephon Diggs angle, or the LSU vs LSU matchup vs Derek Stingley Jr angle… or even the ‘Justin Jefferson wants to be the WR GOAT angle… I’m not sure how you can read or listed to this back and forth between PA and KOC, and come away all that concerned over whether or not Jefferson will be able to, not just suit up vs the Texans, but also be his normal, effective, self.

Related: 49ers Called Vikings About Justin Jefferson Trade

Jets totalled 133 yards and 1 touchdown on just 4 receptions vs the Niners, before he exited the game. Through two weeks, he’s caught 8 passes and pushed his yardage total to 192 yards, along with two touchdowns. Much of that came on this incredible 92 yard bomb from Sam Darnold on Sunday.

More must-reads:

• Familiar Running Back in Line to Start for Texans vs Minnesota Vikings
• Where Does Sam Darnold Rank on the ‘QB Stock Report’ After Week 2?
• Kirk Cousins Finally Admits His Achilles Isn’t 100%