Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings thought back on his dejection after missing seven games due to a hamstring injury when he returned to action this week against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Yes, it’s awful. Jefferson stated, “It’s a horrible feeling, just feeling hopelessness for not being on the field,” during a press conference on December 7. “The supporters anticipate that you will play every single week. It’s difficult to take a backseat and swap positions when teammates expect you to perform hard every single week.
“I’ve returned at last, and I can’t wait to get back on the field.”
Minnesota Vikings Must Adapt to QB Justin Jefferson Dobbs Josh
A lot has transpired since Jefferson’s injury in Week 5.
The Vikings went on to win their next five games, but only two games into their run, Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Following Cousins’ injury, Minnesota acquired Josh Dobbs, who has started two games and is 2-2 overall, ahead of a crucial Week 14 game in Las Vegas.
With a 44% chance of qualifying for the postseason, the Vikings, who are presently 6-6, will have to play the division-leading Detroit Lions (9-3) twice and the Green Bay Packers (6-6), who just defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, in the final three weeks of the season.
Minnesota needs to defeat the Raiders in order to take control of its destiny going into the latter stretch of the divisional season. It will be the first game that Dobbs has Jefferson at his disposal and only the second time that Jefferson has played without Cousins starting at quarterback.
Before this week, the pair hadn’t performed many reps together. On Wednesday, December 6, Jefferson resumed his first complete practice since being activated off injured reserve during the bye week. Despite this, Jefferson seems unconcerned about the lack of reps with Dobbs.
We’ve been conversing, Josh. I wasn’t really working with him as much before this week because I wasn’t really in practice as much,” Jefferson stated. But I think things will work out well between us. As long as he believes in me and I believe in him, everything will be alright.
After suffering a hamstring injury, Justin Jefferson talks about his explosiveness.
After suffering a hamstring injury, there are worries that Jefferson could not be as explosive as he once was.
Throughout his injury, Jefferson has been observed running on his hamstring; yet, his extended absence was necessary as a precaution.
Prior to the bye, Jefferson claimed he was about 100% ahead of the Chicago game, but he chose to tread cautiously. Extremely competitive, Jefferson stated that if he needed to “use that extra gear,” the team’s medical staff wasn’t entirely sure he wouldn’t hamstring strain.
Jefferson anticipates playing in Sunday afternoon’s game against the Raiders fully healthy.
“Of course. Jefferson stated, “Having that same explosion, having that same power, and having that same speed as I did before the injury was the main focus into getting back on the field. If I didn’t [have that same explosivenss] I wouldn’t be playing.”
