Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson remains confident he’ll take the field during Sunday’s NFL action against the Houston Texans despite suffering a right quadriceps contusion during the team’s Week 2 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Jefferson was sidelined late in the game after a failed block attempt, but both he and head coach Kevin O’Connell have been optimistic about his recovery.
“For Sure” Ready to Play
When asked Thursday about his status for Sunday’s game, Jefferson didn’t hesitate. “Oh yeah, for sure,” he said, signaling his determination to play. He picked up the injury while attempting to block 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, a play Jefferson admits was a mistake on his part.
“I was supposed to stay on the corner and pretty much run him off,” Jefferson explained. “I’ve just got to make sure I’m aware of my rules.”
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans Updates
Though limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Jefferson reported feeling “great” and mentioned he was taking the necessary steps to ensure he’d be ready to face Houston. “Just taking it day by day, just staying in the treatment room and working with those guys to make sure I’m feeling fantastic Sunday.”
While Jefferson is confident in his return, the same can’t be said for fellow wide receiver Jordan Addison, who did not practice Thursday due to an ankle injury and is not expected to play.
Vikings Coach and Teammates Provide Updates
Earlier in the week, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell also shared encouraging news about Jefferson’s condition during an interview with KFAN-FM. “[Jefferson] is doing really well, he’s responded really well to treatment early on. We’ll see how his week kinda progresses,” O’Connell told radio host Paul Allen.
O’Connell hinted that Jefferson might have an extra incentive to push through his injury—facing Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans Updates
The two players were teammates during LSU’s perfect 15-0 season in 2019 when they won the national championship. O’Connell suggested the matchup could be a motivating factor for Jefferson.
“I wouldn’t discount the Stingley aspect of it either, to the LSU side of things. He’s becoming one of the premier [cornerbacks],” O’Connell said. “That’ll be before the end of the week, that storyline might materialize between those two guys. I know they’re close.”
A Reunion Years in the Making
The showdown between Jefferson and Stingley will mark their first meeting in the NFL. At LSU, Stingley, then a freshman, was a standout cornerback, leading the country with six interceptions and 15 passes defensed during their championship run.
Jefferson, on the other hand, finished third in the country with 1,540 receiving yards. Their daily practice battles are now set to unfold on a much bigger stage—an NFL matchup where both players are widely considered elite in their respective positions.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans Updates
Stingley, who was drafted third overall in 2022, has quickly cemented himself as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks at just 23 years old. Facing his former college teammate will undoubtedly be a key storyline heading into Sunday’s game, with fans eager to see who will come out on top.
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