Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson ended Thursday’s practice early with what he described as tightness in his legs.
The Vikings sent him for an MRI.
Coach Kevin O’Connell announced Friday that imaging on Jefferson’s left hamstring revealed a mild strain. The team will hold the receiver out of practice a few days, with re-evaluation next week.
While there is no firm timetable for Jefferson’s return, O’Connell made clear that Jefferson’s availability for Week 1 is not in doubt.
Jefferson injured his right hamstring in 2023 and missed seven games.
The four-time Pro Bowler made 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns last season in earning All-Pro for a second time in his five seasons.
The Vikings will wear alternate uniforms in three of this season’s home games.
The team announced that they will wear their white helmets for their Christmas game against the Lions and that they’ll don their throwback uniforms in Week 2 and Week 18. The first of those games is a Sunday night home opener against the Falcons and the regular season finale will be against the Packers.
White helmets made their debut in a win over the Bears last season and they’ll look a bit different this year as the team has added a metallic stripe down the center. The team will wear them with white uniforms and white pants in what they call their Winter Warrior look.
The throwbacks take inspiration from the uniforms the Vikings wore in their first 45 seasons as an NFL team. They lost their two 2023 games in the uniforms, but won against the Texans while wearing them last year.
J.J. McCarthy has been making some veteran moves as a young quarterback stepping into the role of starter in 2025.
Via Kevin Seifert of ESPN, McCarthy organized a couple of offseason throwing sessions with his teammates. One was near Nashville, Tenn., and the other was near St. Paul, Minn.
Tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver plus running backs Jordan Mason and Ty Chandler attended the session in Tennessee. A larger group met up in Minnesota, including receiver Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
“The more reps the better,” McCarthy said Wednesday, via Siefert. “A lot of this offense is based on timing and rhythm, and being able to get as many reps as possible is going to [be] important going into this camp and this season.”
Addison appreciated getting some time on task with his QB and other teammates.
“It’s always good building a good connection outside of the building whenever you can,” Addison said, “and just keep that chemistry going. It was high vibes good spirit, and just having fun.”
After missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury, McCarthy is in line to start 2025 as Minnesota’s QB1. The club also has Ssam Howell, Brett Rypien, and Max Brosmer on its roster at quarterback.
Vikings safety Josh Metellus is taking a different approach to training camp practices than he took to the team’s spring work.
Metellus sat out of team drills during OTAs as he moved into the final year of his contract, but he was practicing without limitations when the team took the field to kick off camp on Wednesday. Metellus indicated there have been discussions about an extension that would keep him in Minnesota, but said that he’s comfortable playing out the year and seeing what happens.
“You leave that to the front office and agents,” Metellus said. “That’s their job to compare numbers and stuff. My job is just to go out there and play. If that has to be the case, I’ve been betting on myself since I got into this league so I’m not worried about going out here and having the best year of my life.”
Metellus was a 2020 sixth-round pick by the Vikings and he’s moved into a more prominent role on defense the last two seasons. He had 103 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble last year.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was pleased to announce today that three injured players have recovered well enough to be on the practice field for the start of training camp.
O’Connell credited left tackle Christian Darrisaw, right guard Will Fries and wide receiver Rondale Moore for working hard to get themselves physically prepared to practice, even though they won’t necessarily be practicing at 100 percent from Day One.
“Christian Darrisaw and Rondale Moore and Will Fries all not going on PUP to start. Those guys have all — I want to highlight the work they’ve put in this summer to put themselves in a position to be out on the grass practicing, all in different capacities,” O’Connell said. “We are very pleased with where those guys are at and their timelines to fully returning to daily participation. We have great plans on the calendar for those guys and cannot wait to see that come to fruition. Just want to highlight once again the work those guys put in to get ready for this season.”
Darrisaw had a season-ending knee injury while playing for the Vikings in October. Fries signed with the Vikings this offseason after suffering a broken tibia while playing for the Colts in October. Moore signed with the Vikings this offseason after missing the entire 2024 season following a training camp injury with the Falcons.
