Justin Jefferson opens up about persistent fear after injury comeback: "I’m so scared"
Justin Jefferson opened up about the possibility of a recurrence of his hamstring injury that limited him last season and admitted he was scared. Speaking in a press conference, the wide receiver said,
"I’m so scared for it to happen again. I’ve been overly cautious about it just trying to take care of my body in the right way. Just trying to find new ways and new things too that I can implement on my day-to-day life that would better help me throughout the season. I have definitely been working on my hamstrings a little bit more and making sure that I’m injury-proof."
However, Justin Jefferson promised to leave that mental block behind, adding,
"I'll get to the point where I feel like I'm not going to think of it again. 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."
Justin Jefferson talks about bittersweet rest days
Justin Jefferson revealed that the Vikings are monitoring his physical variables to design the right training program for him and that includes enforced rest days. He said,
“They look at the amount of yards that I’m running, how much I’m running, how hard I’m running, and of course the amount of weight I’m dropping at the end of practices with this hot temperature, sweating tremendously. Just having that — I don’t like to call it vet day — but having a rest day, just for me to come back out here today and give it that 100 percent. Just trying to monitor my body and how I’m feeling and trying to make sure that I’m ready for Week 1."
Justin Jefferson added that he does not like taking time off but understands why he needs the rest and concluded,
“I like [the rest] and I hate it at the same time. Just because I never really was the type of person to take days off and have vet days. But I understand that I’m starting to get a little older and the yards and how I’m running and the way I’m running every single day of practice, it starts to take a toll on me. It’s just taking a little step back, resting my body for that one day and then coming in ready to go that next day.”
With a new quarterback and a recovering wide receiver, the Vikings might need some time to get off the blocks in 2024.