Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson is addressing the challenges surrounding his hamstring injury and the frustration expressed by fans amidst uncertainty about his return.
Contrary to speculation, Jefferson clarifies that his prolonged absence is not linked to contract negotiations or an intentional effort to inconvenience fantasy football managers who selected him this season.
The wide receiver attributes his six-game absence to an ongoing issue with his strained right hamstring, which has yet to fully recover.
As he approaches the third week of practice since being granted permission to return from injured reserve, Jefferson remains unsure about his participation in the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
Expressing disappointment, he acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining patience and ensuring a thorough healing process for his injury. Jefferson empathizes with fans who have reached out to him on social media, understanding their frustrations.
While his recovery has progressed, allowing him to run practice routes at full speed, Jefferson remains cautious about committing to Monday night’s game. He emphasizes that the decision will depend on further evaluation and how he feels leading up to the game.
The hamstring injury, sustained on October 8, led to the Vikings placing Jefferson on injured reserve two days later. With a 21-day practice window that began on November 8, he must be activated by November 29; otherwise, he will stay on injured reserve for the rest of the season. Both the team and Jefferson have agreed on a methodical approach, intending to bring him back only when he is fully recovered.
Coach Kevin O’Connell acknowledges the possibility of Jefferson missing the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears, considering utilizing the Week 13 bye for additional recovery and targeting a return in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Despite the agreed-upon recovery plan, fans have grown increasingly impatient. Jefferson, addressing the criticism on social media, emphasizes that his health takes precedence over fantasy football.
Frustrated with the varying healing timelines for individuals, he distances himself from theories linking his delayed return to a contract dispute with the Vikings, asserting that there is no connection to his contract negotiations.
In response to the backlash, he steps away from social media, making his X and Instagram accounts unavailable as of Friday afternoon.
Despite speculations and criticisms, Jefferson reiterates his commitment to returning at full strength, emphasizing, “I know my position. I know what I’m doing. And I know it’s not for the contract. It’s not for the contract at all.”
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