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Receiver Justin Jefferson has words meant to soothe the concerns of Vikings fans who watched him get injured at the end of the third quarter of Sunday’s 23-17 win over the 49ers.
Jefferson said he might not miss additional game time after sitting out the rest of Sunday’s victory. He had four catches for 133 yards, including a career-long, 97-yard touchdown. Jefferson was evaluated in the team’s medical tent and headed for the locker room, from where he spoke with reporters after the game.
“Not overly concerned,” Jefferson said. “Just a little thigh bruise, contusion, whatever you want to call it. Something that happens a lot in the game. Just got to treat it up, get it figured out, and be ready to go next week.”
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Head coach Kevin O’Connell echoed Jefferson’s outlook.
“It was a quad contusion,” O’Connell said. “I think [49ers linebacker] Fred Warner might have went flying in to make a play, like he does a lot, and Justin was working in the run on the back side and got a — not intentional — but got a little leg-to-leg contact on that.”
“He’s pretty sore,” O’Connell added. “But he’s already up and moving. We’ll just treat that thing and hopefully he’ll be day to day and we’ll see how his status looks for next week.”
Jefferson surpassed 6,000 career receiving yards in his 62nd game, tying Lance Alworth for the fastest player to reach that mark. He’s the third-fastest receiver to surpass 400 catches, too, behind Michael Thomas and Odell Beckham Jr.
His longest career touchdown, a 97-yard catch and run in the second quarter, helped.
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“One of the prettiest throws I’ve seen,” O’Connell said. “It actually goes back to a look we ran on them last year. Similar presentation, similar everything. That one has been in the hopper for a little bit.”
O’Connell and Jefferson commended the accuracy and arm strength from quarterback Sam Darnold on a play that Jefferson said they practiced routinely.
“We didn’t practice it being on the 3-yard line and us going 97 [yards],” Jefferson said. “A great, great ball by Sam to trust the double team and for me to run right through it.”
Receiver Jalen Nailor, who had three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown while replacing the injured Jordan Addison, sped downfield to throw a late block and help Jefferson score.
“I was just trying to meet him at the end zone to celebrate with him,” Nailor said. “I saw him cut back, and your legs get heavy once you do that. Just tried to help get him in there.”
Edge rusher Dallas Turner, the rookie first-round pick, will undergo further testing on his knee after suffering an injury in the fourth quarter. The Vikings “more than likely” aren’t expecting a long-term injury, O’Connell said.



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