Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Held in check by weather in Sunday's win
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Jefferson caught three of six targets for 55 yards in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Bears.
Neither team reached 200 passing yards on a wet and windy day at Soldier Field, and Jefferson's 55 yards actually led all pass catchers. It was a disappointing follow-up to his two-TD performance in the Vikings' opener, but the conditions made big numbers impossible. Jefferson will look to bounce back in what should be much better weather during a Week 3 road trip to Tampa Bay.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Two TDs from Wentz after Kyler exits
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Jefferson caught eight of nine targets for 92 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 39-22 win over the Packers. He also caught a successful two-point conversion.
Jefferson kept the Vikings within striking distance with a 39-yard touchdown catch just after the two-minute warning in the first half, and he put the exclamation point on Minnesota's 22-0 fourth-quarter run with a nine-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. Both of those touchdown passes came on passes from Carson Wentz, as Kyler Murray (concussion) exited the game in the first quarter. Jefferson's two touchdowns Sunday matched his 2025 season total across 17 games, but the 27-year-old wide receiver has a pair of 10-touchdown regular seasons in his career. If Murray doesn't pass concussion protocol before a Week 2 road game against the Bears, Wentz would likely get the start over J.J. McCarthy.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Makes impressive grabs in last camp practice
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Jefferson connected on a couple highlight-reel grabs from quarterback Kyler Murray during the Vikings' final training camp practice Aug. 26, Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Though most of the Vikings' key starters ended up sitting out Friday's 34-6 loss to the Broncos in the preseason finale, Jefferson and Murray displayed a strong connection while sharing the field together for the last time in front of assembled media before the Sept. 13 season opener versus the Packers. During red-zone work, Murray made a strong anticipation throw over the middle to Jefferson that went for a touchdown, and on the very next play, the wideout hauled down a one-handed touchdown grab on a throw Murray made while facing heavy pressure. While it may be ambitious for Jefferson to return to the great heights he displayed over his first three years in the NFL when he averaged 108 catches, 1,608 yards and 8.3 touchdowns per season, the upgrade in quarterback play that Murray is expected to provide should help Jefferson handily outperform the 84-1,048-2 receiving line he posted over 17 games in 2025 with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer throwing passes to him.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Building rapport with Murray
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Jefferson and newly named starting quarterback Kyler Murray have been starting to click at practice, Will Ragatz of Bring Me The Sports reports.
Jefferson will be working with a new starting quarterback for the fourth season in a row after Minnesota named offseason addition Kyler Murray as their starter Tuesday. The two players connected on a handful of big plays at practice Wednesday, including a gain of roughly 35 yards on a deep post. Jefferson is coming off a down year during which he caught 84 of 141 targets for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were career lows, over 17 regular-season contests while working with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer at quarterback. Now with the expectation of more stability with Murray under center, the 27-year-old superstar wide receiver is looking to get back on track. Murray also seems to understand the most important aspect of quarterbacking the Vikings: get Jefferson the ball as often as possible.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Still not sure who QB will be
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As the 2026 season approaches, Jefferson's status as the Vikings' top pass catcher is secure, but it remains to be seen who will be throwing him the ball come Week 1.
Former Cardinal Kyler Murray was brought in to compete with J.J. McCarthy, and according to coach Kevin O'Connell, it's possible that the team's looming QB competition could extend into the preseason, Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports. Murray, the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, is viewed as the favorite to win the job, and if that ends up being the outcome, he'd be Minnesota's fourth different Week 1 starter in the past four seasons. Subpar QB play hampered Jefferson's fantasy upside in 2025, but if Murray seizes the top job and engineers a bounce-back season of his own in the process, the four-time Pro Bowler stands to benefit.
Jefferson agreed to terms Friday on a contract restructure that frees up salary cap space for the Vikings, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Jefferson and left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) both agreed to restructures Friday, helping Minnesota achieve a more manageable salary cap situation ahead of the start of the legal tampering period on Monday. The star wide receiver, who will turn 27 in June, will likely spend the offseason focusing on building an increased rapport with quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand), after the two struggled to get on the same page throughout the 2025 campaign. The Vikings have also been linked to numerous quarterbacks expected to be available in free agency as potential added competition for McCarthy.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Extends 1,000-yard season streak
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Jefferson caught eight of 11 targets for 101 yards in Sunday's 16-3 win over the Packers.
Jefferson endured a tough season due to the Vikings' issues at quarterback, but with his first 100-yard performance since Week 5, the superstar wideout was able to record his sixth straight 1,000-yard campaign to begin his career. Jefferson wraps up the season with an 84-1,048-2 line on 141 targets, the worst yardage and touchdown totals of his career. One of Minnesota's biggest priorities this offseason will be finding a way to build chemistry between J.J. McCarthy (hand) and his most talented target.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Production lacking again
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Jefferson caught four of five targets for 30 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.
Despite the limited production, Jefferson actually led Minnesota in catches, targets and receiving yards on a day in which rookie QB Max Brosmer threw for just 51 yards. The Vikings' issues under center have ruined Jefferson's season, and he still needs 53 more yards -- a mark he's failed to reach in five of the last six games -- to record his sixth straight 1,000-yard campaign. If J.J. McCarthy (hand) is able to suit up Week 18 against the Packers, Jefferson's odds of keeping his streak alive might be slightly improved.
Jefferson was held to two receptions on four targets for four yards in Sunday's 26-0 loss to Seattle.
The Vikings were forced to turn to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer with starter J.J. McCarthy (concussion) unavailable and backup Carson Wentz (shoulder) on injured reserve. The end result was even worse than expected with the third-stringer under center after Jefferson finished the shutout loss with a career-low four receiving yards. The horrid quarterback situation in Minnesota has damaged its star wideout's fantasy value in addition to its playoff hopes. The remaining hope for Jefferson's fantasy managers is that McCarthy can clear the league's concussion protocol by next Sunday's matchup against the Commanders, as he at least possesses the arm strength to take shots down the field towards his superstar receiver.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Four catches in Week 12 loss
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Jefferson brought in four of six targets for 48 yards in the Vikings' 23-6 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
It's small consolation for Jefferson's frustrated fantasy managers, but the star wideout either tied for the lead (receptions) or set the pace (receiving yards, targets) for the Vikings on the afternoon in all three major receiving categories. However, J.J. McCarthy's continued struggles led to Jefferson's third sub-50-yard effort in the last four contests, and there presently doesn't appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel for Minnesota's air attack. Jefferson's next matchup doesn't offer any solace, either, considering a Week 13 road matchup against the daunting Seahawks defense awaits next Sunday.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Scores TD in McCarthy's return
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Jefferson secured six of nine targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 27-24 win over the Lions on Sunday.
Working with J.J. McCarthy as his quarterback for the first time since Week 2, Jefferson finished with team-high reception and target totals while coming just a yard short of drawing even with Jordan Addison for the lead in receiving yards as well. Jefferson's yardage tally was his lowest since Week 1, but his 10-yard touchdown grab to cap off the Vikings' first drive of the contest was also his first trip to the end zone since the opening game of the campaign. Jefferson and McCarthy will continue to build chemistry as the second half of the season unfolds, with their next opportunity coming in a Week 10 home matchup against the Ravens.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Solid numbers in Week 7 loss
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Jefferson brought in five of 10 targets for 79 yards in the Vikings' 28-22 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
Jefferson posted a team-high 40-yard reception during the close contest, but he ultimately played second fiddle to Jordan Addison, who finished with a 9-128-0 line on 12 targets, all team-high figures. Nevertheless, Jefferson's day wasn't a total washout by any stretch, and he extended his streak of 75-plus-yard tallies to five games while also getting to at least five receptions for the fourth consecutive contest. Jefferson hasn't found the end zone since Week 1 against the Bears, however, a matter he'll look to rectify Thursday night when the Vikings and Chargers open the Week 8 slate in Los Angeles.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Returning to practice
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Jefferson (hamstring) will begin practicing, head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Jefferson has been sidelined since late July by what has been described as a mild left hamstring strain, but the star wide receiver is ready to start ramping up his activity level. Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, Jefferson will participate in part of Monday's practice. Though Jefferson hasn't yet been cleared to participate in team drills without limitations, this development nonetheless is a step in the right direction. Jefferson's goal is to be ready for Week 1 against the Bears on Monday, Sept. 8, but he's unlikely to suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Titans.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Not in line to play Saturday
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Jefferson (hamstring) is not slated to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Texans.
No surprise here, given that Jefferson is managing a mild left hamstring strain that he sustained July 24. It remains to be seen if the wideout is a candidate to play in the Vikings' Aug. 16 preseason contest against the Patriots, but there's little incentive for him to be rushed back into game action, with his Week 1 availability remaining the priority here.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Remains sidelined
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Jefferson (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
The Vikings continue to take a cautious approach with Jefferson as he recovers from the mild left hamstring strain that he sustained July 24. As recently as last Friday, though, he was spotted working out with trainers on a side field, indicating he at least has made some progress. Whether or not Jefferson makes an appearance in the preseason may be contingent on second-year QB J.J. McCarthy getting into another exhibition beyond this Saturday's matchup with the Texans. Ultimately, ensuring Jefferson is healthy by Week 1 is Minnesota's primary priority.
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Tuesday that the Vikings have "zero worry" about Jefferson's (hamstring) availability for a Week 1 road matchup with the Bears on Monday, Sept. 8, Emily Leiker of The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Jefferson came out of last Thursday's practice with what was later termed a mild left hamstring strain. In the meantime, he's sat out on-field work but still has been present at all but one session on the schedule, coaching up fellow wide receivers on reps, good and bad. "Rehab's going really well," O'Connell noted. "Already progressing. Could end up being a blessing in disguise in a lot of ways, where Justin's mentally preparing and engaging with his teammates. He's totally and completely present every single day." Minnesota understandably will take a cautious approach with its top skill-position talent on the roster, but it'll be interesting to see if Jefferson and second-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy log some preseason action together ahead of the regular season.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Tending to mild hamstring strain
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Coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday that Jefferson is dealing with a mild left hamstring strain, and the Vikings will evaluate the wide receiver again next week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Jefferson didn't participate in the last handful of drills at Thursday's practice due what initially was called tightness in his legs. With a diagnosis now honed in on, Minnesota will take a cautious approach with its top offensive weapon, and there's no worry at this time regarding his potential to play Week 1 at Chicago, which is more than six weeks in the future.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Sits out end of practice
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Jefferson sat out the end of Thursday's practice after experiencing some mild tightness in his legs, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
That said, Seifert indicates that there are no concerns for Jefferson, even in the short term, but on just the second day of training camp the wideout elected to not push things, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. As the coming season approaches, Jefferson is poised to maintain his high-volume role in a Minnesota passing offense that's now directed by 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Held in check Sunday
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Jefferson was held to three receptions on nine targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 31-9 blowout loss to Detroit.
Jefferson had an uncharacteristically poor game which featured several drops (one of which hit him in the hands in the end zone) en route to his worst catch rate of the season (33 percent). The superstar still finished with a stellar 103-1,533-10 stat line this regular season as Sam Darnold's emergence in 2024 helped lift his No. 1 wideout back to numbers fantasy managers were accustomed to during the Kirk Cousins era in Minnesota. Jefferson and the Vikings will have to lick their collective wounds from this ugly loss ahead of next Monday's road playoff tilt against the Rams.
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Vikings' Justin Jefferson: Makes light work of Seahawks
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Jefferson corralled 10 of 13 targets for 144 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's 27-24 win over Seattle.
Jefferson dropped another standout performance that set a new high-water mark in receiving yards in addition to scoring his ninth and tenth touchdowns of the season. The superstar wideout put an exclamation point on the contest by taking the top off the Seahawks' secondary late in the fourth quarter for the game-winning score. After enduring a scoreless streak between Weeks 8 and 13, Jefferson has now rattled off five touchdowns over his last three starts. Managers will be excited to see what the fantasy stud has in store for next Sunday's divisional matchup against Green Bay.
