 looks at the big screen during second half of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/jeffersonqb.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=677,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/jeffersonqb.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button”><figcaption> David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports.</figcaption></figure>
<p>He’s playing, and those words come from his lips.</p>
<h4>The Justin Jefferson Mystery Is Over</h4>
<p>Justin Jefferson’s Minnesota Vikings host the undefeated Houston Texans this Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, and according to the phenom playmaker, it’s all systems go for Week 3 after a Week 2 quad contusion. </p>
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Jefferson said Thursday when reporters asked if he’d play versus Houston.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Vikings WR Justin Jefferson participated in today’s walk through, despite his quad injury. It looks as if he is on track to play Sunday vs. the Texans.”
That tweet set the tone for the day regarding Jefferson Watch, even after Jefferson didn’t formally participate in practice Wednesday. But Schefter nailed it: Jefferson is good to go.
 celebrates his catch against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/jeffersonros.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=651,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/jeffersonros.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/jeffersonros.jpg” alt=”Takeaways from Justin”><figcaption> Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Other eyes turned to players like Jordan Addison, Brian O’Neill, Dallas Turner, Ivan Pace, and Andrew Van Ginkel, who didn’t practice either Wednesday, but Thursday provided better news. The only players who did not practice were Addison and Turner, an indicator that both will likely miss Sunday’s game. Stay tuned.</p>
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On Tuesday, Jefferson’s head coach, Kevin O’Connell, sounded rather optimistic about his chances of playing in Week 3. “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,” O’Connell told KFAN’s Paul Allen on Tuesday.
O’Connell added about the LSU rivalry between Jefferson and Texans corner Derek Stingley Jr. “I wouldn’t discount the Stingley aspect of it, either. Those two, the LSU side of things. He’s becoming one of the premier cornerbacks in the league.”
 catches a touchdown as Carolina Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr. (42) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/USATSI_21546864.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/USATSI_21546864.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/USATSI_21546864.jpg” alt=”Justin Jefferson”><figcaption> Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Like Schefter, O’Connell was correct.</p>
<p>Against San Francisco, Jefferson tallied 4 receptions for 133 yards and a mammoth 97-yard touchdown that will grace Vikings highlight reels for years, if not decades, to come. Quarterback Sam Darnold maneuvered his own endzone and heaved the pigskin to Jefferson right past midfield on Sunday, and Jefferson, plus his teammate Jalen Nailor, took care of the rest.</p>
<p>His 97-yard touchdown from Sam Darnold was the second-longest in franchise history, only trailing Gus Frerotte to Bernard Berrian in 2008, which was 99 yards.</p>
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Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass for a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson (30) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports.
” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19427399.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19427399.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19427399.jpg” alt=”Justin Jefferson’s Magic Number”>
The Texans are expected to beat the Vikings this weekend by two points. Houston has never defeated Minnesota despite five attempts since 2004. During the showdown, the Vikings will face a few of their former employees: Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs, Cam Akers, and Kris Boyd.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
