Vikings superstar catcher Justin Jefferson sat for most of the team drills during Thursday’s training camp practice, which he later described as “a little bit of tightness.”
Jefferson jumped a jump on the sideline and covered him up in the game after some unintentional contact with Jeff Okudah. He quickly stood up and fainted Okudah, but after that, he stood on the sidelines and watched the rest of the practice.
But Jefferson hasn't missed a game in five NFL seasons – his only injury absence was seven games due to the 2023 ham hamstring – and his lack of involvement is about taking a cautious approach early in the camp and not wanting to take risks.
“Of course, I'm fine,” he said. “But just have a little nervousness. Of course, due to recent injuries in the past and what I've experienced before, just take precautions and understand that this is the second day of the camp, not the 30th. So make sure I'm completely healthy and I can do a great job, especially at the start of the season.”
Jefferson, 26, is the face of the Vikings of Vikings this summer and one of the top players in the NFL. When the regular season starts within six and a half weeks, he will be a clear target for young quarterback JJ McCarthy. The lockers between the two are adjacent to each other and chemistry is being established throughout the offseason.
“Talking with JJ and his locker companion, I think he must have his head, he has the confidence to go there and perform weekly,” Jefferson said. “I just wanted him to be more confident to give me those double coverage throws, otherwise I might not look completely open.