Now injured, will Vikings WR Justin Jefferson be ready for Week 1?

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a shoulder injury during Friday’s training camp practice.

With the release of Jeff Gladney and the circus that was the Kirk Cousins press conference, Minnesota Vikings fans have already been through a lot this week.

Well, things didn’t get any better on Friday when Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson went down with an injury during the team’s training camp practice at the TCO Performance Center.

Jefferson landed hard on his left shoulder while making a catch and he seemed to be in some intense pain immediately after suffering the injury. Luckily, it seems like Minnesota and their top receiver have escaped a nightmare scenario.

Injury to Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson not expected to be serious

After Jefferson left the practice field and headed into the locker room with the Vikings trainers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the young receiver suffered a sprained AC joint and that a source told him the injury is “nothing serious.”

Depending on how serious the sprain is, there’s still a good chance that Jefferson will be recovered in time to play in Minnesota’s regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 12.

Just last year, Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton suffered a sprained AC joint on September 10. Sutton was able to recover in time to be back on the field for the Broncos on September 20 for their Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With Schefter reporting that Jefferson’s injury isn’t being considered serious combined with how quickly someone like Sutton was able to recover last season, Vikings fans shouldn’t have to worry about their team’s best receiver being ready in time for Week 1 against the Bengals.

However, it wouldn’t be surprising if Minnesota kept Jefferson on the sidelines for their three preseason games this year. These contests are meaningless and there’s no reason to risk the health of someone like Jefferson who is such a key part of the team’s offense.

Everyone knows the kid can already play. So it’s not like he’s in desperate need of the reps he could get in a preseason matchup.