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Justin Jefferson hamstring update: Former LSU WR on IR after injury in Vikings-Chiefs game

craig meyer, usa today network
·2 min read

In just 53 NFL games, Justin Jefferson has established himself as a Vikings franchise pillar and perhaps the best wide receiver in the sport.

Now, Minnesota will have to momentarily adjust to life without him. The Vikings placed the Louisiana native and former LSU star on the injured reserve list on Wednesday after he suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s 27-20 loss on Sunday vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.

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In order to be placed on IR during the regular season, players need to miss a minimum of four games. It will mark the first NFL action the 24-year-old Jefferson has missed since he was selected by the Vikings with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Here's what you need to know about Jefferson's injury:

Justin Jefferson injury update

Jefferson was injured in the fourth quarter of the loss to Kansas City, when he slipped on the U.S. Bank Stadium turf while running a route against Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie. He left the game and did not return.

With Jefferson out on injured reserve, he will miss at least the Vikings' next four games against the Bears, 49ers, Packers and Falcons. He will be eligible to return no sooner than the Week 10 game vs. New Orleans.

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Justin Jefferson stats

In five games this season, Jefferson has 571 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Entering last week, and before his injury, he led all NFL players in receiving yards, was tied for second in receptions and was third in targets.

Last season, Jefferson led the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809). He was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-Pro. He helped lead Minnesota to a 13-4 record in 2022, though the team has regressed so far this season, with four losses in its first five games.

At LSU, Jefferson helped lead the Tigers on a dominant run to the 2019 national championship while catching 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Justin Jefferson hamstring update: Former LSU star on injured reserve