Vikings’ Justin Jefferson: I’m ‘Overly Cautious’ About My Hamstring After 2023 Injury

Andrew PetersAugust 3, 2024

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After injuries derailed his season a year ago, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is taking extra steps to ensure he avoids re-injuring his hamstring in 2024.

The star said he’s been incorporating new steps into his routine to make sure he’s “injury-proof” this season.

“I’m so scared for it to happen again that I’ve been overly cautious about it,” Jefferson said, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “Just trying to take care of my body in the right way, just trying to find new things that I can implement in my day-to-day life that can better help me throughout the season. I’ve definitely been working on my hamstrings a little bit more, making sure that I’m injury-proof.”

Jefferson had three injury-free seasons to start his career, but suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5 last year and didn’t return until Week 14. Still, in just 10 games, Jefferson reached the 1,000-yard mark once again, also tacking on five touchdowns.

With the injury now in the past, Jefferson is hoping to return to the track he was on before the 2023 season. The first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft had three consecutive seasons with 1,400 yards or more to start his career, with his best season coming in 2022 when he had 1,809 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

While being extra cautious to avoid injury is important, Jefferson is also hoping injuries will be an afterthought so he can focus on leading the Vikings to success.

“I’ll get to the point where I feel like I’m not going to think of it again,” Jefferson said. “Just because I feel like I’m going to push it to where it’s way strong enough for it not to happen again. It’s all about having the confidence in it and I can go out there and play freely.”