Many felt the Minnesota Vikings would finish last in the NFC North when this season began, but after two games, they’re the only team in the division that is undefeated.
Yes, it is a small sample size, but there is reason to believe their success is at least somewhat sustainable.
However, no amount of success is sustainable when a team has multiple key injuries, and right now, the Vikings have a number of players who are banged up, beginning with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson, who has an injured quad, was a limited participant in practice after suffering the injury in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.
#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (quad) and RB Aaron Jones (hip) were officially limited in practice today, while WR Jordan Addison (ankle), RT Brian O’Neill (elbow) and edge Dallas Turner (knee) DNP.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 18, 2024
Jefferson is arguably the best wide receiver in football, and he torched the Niners with 133 yards on just four catches, including a 97-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter that set the tone for Minnesota’s win.
The Vikings will face a big challenge in Week 3 when they host the Houston Texans, who are chock-full of talent and feature one of the best and most exciting quarterbacks in the NFL in C.J. Stroud.
Jefferson’s injury is particularly concerning because Jordan Addison, the Vikings’ WR2, has an injured ankle and missed the game against the 49ers as a result. Addison did not participate in practice, Pelissero reported.
Jefferson was limited to just 10 games last season because of a hamstring injury, and it was a major reason, along with the torn Achilles suffered by QB Kirk Cousins, the Vikings missed the playoffs after a 6-4 start.
