Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury six weeks and six days ago. He has yet to play, although he has been practicing since November 8.
On Friday, Jefferson said regarding the possibility of playing on Monday night the thing my mom always used to say when she didn’t feel like dealing with the aftermath of telling me no: “We’ll see.”
But he said more. A lot more.
He was asked about social-media criticism that recently prompted him to justifiably sound off on Twitter (and apparently to then delete his Twitter and Instagram accounts).
“Y’all have no idea,” Jefferson said, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. “I’m just tired of it. It’s just frustrating, and it’s draining to want to be out there on the field, wanting to play, and all of these other sources saying different things that are not true on how you’re feeling. It’s a crazy situation. It is what it is. But I’m more focused on being back on that field and playing; the rest is going to come with it.”
The other source of external scrutiny comes from Jefferson not having a long-term deal.
“I don’t really care too much, just because everyone is going to have their own opinions of what they think I’m thinking or what I’m doing,” Jefferson said. “So it is what it is. 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.”
The argument is the same one Lamar Jackson heard in 2021 and 2022. If Jefferson had a long-term deal, he would have been back on the field by now.
And here’s an unpopular (from the perspective of those who simply want the players to shut up and entertain them) take. Jefferson shouldn’t be playing until he’s truly and completely 100 percent, specifically because of the lack of a contract.
Before the season, he was ready to sign. The ball was in the team’s court. The team opted to keep the ball, along with millions in guaranteed money, in its pockets.
He’s making $2.39 million this year. Why risk his health in any way without the financial security he has earned?
Soft-tissue injuries take time to heal. They always take more time than it seems they need.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned to play with a soft-tissue injury in his calf. Would he have done it without a long-term deal? (He shouldn’t have.)
Jefferson shouldn’t play until he’s truly 100 percent. Period. If you don’t like it, don’t blame him. Blame the Vikings for not deviating from their refusal to fully guarantee contracts beyond the current year for all players other than Kirk Cousins.
At this point, with the bye coming next weekend, Jefferson should just give it one more game and be back for Week 14 against the Raiders. That’ll be nine weeks. He should be 100 percent by then. And if he stays 100 percent, the Vikings will get an important boost as they enter the stretch run.