Justin Jefferson dropping to the turf with 1:02 left on the clock was a scary moment for the Minnesota Vikings during Sunday’s 28-24 loss to the Chargers.
Jefferson, who hauled in 7 receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown, dropped to the turf in apparent pain on Minnesota’s final drive of the afternoon inside U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. At first glance, the play prompted fears of a left leg injury. But those fears were diminished when Jefferson walked to the sideline on his own and returned to the game one play later.
It wasn’t an injury. Jefferson was battling cramps. That became somewhat evident when the training staff was seen stretching Jefferson’s left calf muscle and the 24-year-old receiver was chugging from a Gatorade bottle.
#JustinJefferson scare. Fortunately appears to be just cramps. pic.twitter.com/sYjv20FH1N
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) September 24, 2023
Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed in his postgame press conference that it was nothing more than cramps. O’Connell also said cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. left the game temporarily in the first half with a hip contusion.
Despite Jefferson’s third straight big game (he’s on pace for 2,595 yards!), the Vikings dropped to 0-3 and now have to go to Carolina in search of their first win next Sunday. And they better win that one because the Chiefs come to Minneapolis in Week 5, with the 49ers and Packers on the horizon in Weeks 7 and 8.
