This offseason’s Hard Knocks has generated a number of interesting details regarding the Giants. Similarly, Netflix’s Receiver series has offered a glimpse into Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson during his rehab from a 2023 hamstring injury. 
Jefferson suffered the injury in Week 5, leading to a notable absence for the first time in his record-setting career. Questions were raised about how willing he would be to return to the field given the fact extension talks from the previous offseason had not made it across the finish line. The 25-year-old could have shut himself down for the remainder of the campaign, but instead he suited up in Week 14 and played each subsequent contest.
Of course, Jefferson’s contract status was coupled with Kirk Cousins‘ Achilles tear as a reason why a cautious approach by team and player would have been logical. Minnesota relied on multiple replacements at quarterback and wound up outside of the playoff picture. Jefferson had a strong close to the campaign after he ensured he returned to the field rather than turning his attention to renewed extension talks.
“No one, no one, no one in this game can ever tell me to not play or to tank the season or to do any of that other stuff because I’m not that type of person,” the LSU alum said (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). “I want to play. I love the game of football. I want to be the best. In order for that to happen, I’ve got to be out there on that field… There’s no prolonging the injury, there’s no, ‘Oh he’s sitting out because of the contract. It’s not any of that. At all.”
Following the draft, the Vikings turned down trade interest and finalized an historic extension with Jefferson. The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year is now attached to a $35MM AAV, the highest ever given to a non-quarterback. Obviously, he and Minnesota will hope a repeat of last season’s hamstring injury – which the series notes was a high grade strain – will not be in store over the years to come. The same is true of the bruised lung he suffered in his first game upon return.
Cousins departed in free agency, and the Vikings will have a tandem of Sam Darnold and first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy at quarterback in 2024. Jefferson will be counted on to remain the focal point of the team’s passing game as he serves as the financial standard-bearer amongst wideouts. If his approach to his health remains the same now that his extension is in place as it was before, Minnesota’s top offensive weapon should be available as much as possible.
I think it was primarily fantasy team managers that were upset at how long he sat out because of that hamstring injury. Ultimately it’s the team doctors and HC that decide when a player is going to get back on the field after an injury so Jefferson really doesn’t have to appease anyone with an explanation.