EAGAN, Minn. — Justin Jefferson doesn’t skip reps, so antennas were raised Thursday afternoon when he was on the sidelines for the second half of the Minnesota Vikings’ second training camp practice.

He told reporters afterward that he felt some tightness in his legs. Coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Friday afternoon that Jefferson had been evaluated and diagnosed with a mild left hamstring strain. He’ll be re-evaluated next week.

“The best thing is, we avoided anything serious,” O’Connell said. “I see no concerns in regards to the opener (against Chicago).”

Kevin O’Connell says they avoided something serious with Justin Jefferson’s hamstring. Says he has no questions about Justin for the opener against the Bears. https://t.co/l8UEVf6VWW

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 25, 2025

Jefferson and the Vikings have some history with this injury. In 2023, Jefferson tore his right hamstring and missed seven games. He responded phenomenally last season, producing the way fans and pundits have become accustomed to, with 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns. If there are any positives to this situation, it’s that it’s not the same hamstring as before, and that Jefferson vocalized the injury early in training camp.

O’Connell rejected the notion that the news is “disappointing.” Jefferson and second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy have already developed a rapport, O’Connell said. Furthermore, Jefferson hasn’t played in a preseason game since O’Connell took over in 2022. He wasn’t going to this season, either.

“Clearly, I’d want him out there for every rep if I could,” O’Connell said. “But it’s best that we’re smart, and we’ve got some of the best in the league managing this.”

In the short term, four receivers are in line to receive first-team snaps when the team is deploying nickel personnel (three-receiver sets). Offseason signing Rondale Moore and rookie Tai Felton are two candidates. Rounding out the group are Lucky Jackson and Jeshaun Jones, two under-the-radar options who have impressed coaches since the spring.

Those four will mix in with Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor, who have experience swapping positions in O’Connell’s offense. The Vikings will also lean further into heavy personnel groupings and the run game, both of which have been offseason priorities given the possibility that Addison misses time due to a suspension. Controlling the line of scrimmage is also one of the primary ways the Vikings plan to develop McCarthy throughout the 2025 season.

(Photo: Matt Krohn / Imagn Images)