Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson practices for the first time since late July: ‘I’ve been itching for it’

Justin Jefferson traded his sunglasses and bucket hat back for his helmet with a reflective visor Monday.

The Vikings’ star receiver returned to practice for the first time since July 24. He’s been held out with a minor left hamstring strain.

“It feels great to get back into the normal routine,” Jefferson said after practice. “I’ve been itching for it. Just glad that I’m feeling great again and back to being with the guys.”

Jefferson said the time missed was hard because he’s “still a kid at heart” wanting to be out on the field with his friends. He reframed it as an opportunity to grow as a leader being more vocal and hands-on, often talking with J.J. McCarthy or young receivers after reps.

Jefferson also said the Vikings’ season opener against the Bears in Chicago is “for sure the target” for him to be back at full speed.

In the past week or so, Jefferson participated in pre-practice walk-throughs but was never padded up for actual practice. The last time he was seen working out at all was on the rehab field with trainers briefly on Aug. 1.

Jefferson started practice at the training table following stretching as teammates participated in special teams drills, doing high knees with a large medicine ball held above his head and then lunges with the medicine ball, too.

“The way I move, the way my body is positioned, the way I cut and the way I do everything is kind of different than what everyone else does. Different positions I might put a little bit more stress on my body than a normal typical person would.”

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said he did not expect Jefferson’s injury to change his pre-practice or practice routine after his initial return.

Jefferson joined the session when receivers, tight ends and running backs were doing an agility drill weaving through tackle dummies.

Though he only did one rep of that drill, Jefferson participated in the next couple receiver drills, also focused on agility and taking passes from coaching staff. He was last in line for every drill.

His first reception thrown by a quarterback did come from McCarthy on a short-yardage, offense-only drill.

Jefferson did not participate in either 11-on-11 drills the Vikings ran.

The first drill, he watched the first-team reps and then took to the empty field while the second team played, catching mid-range and deep passes from quarterback Max Brosmer. He did the same with Brett Rypien during the second 11-on-11 drill.

The Vikings were once again without outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and safety Harrison Smith at practice.

Van Ginkel has been present at practices but in street clothes since Aug. 7; his injury is unknown. Smith has been absent from practices since Aug. 11 with what O’Connell said Aug. 13 is an illness.

The Vikings also missed defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez (ankle) and Tyler Batty (wrist) on Monday. Both were present but did not participate. Batty did do pre-practice walk-throughs.

“We avoided anything long-term with him, so much so that he’ll work back in today,” O’Connell said. “We’re working through some soreness, but he’s gonna be in a good spot.”

Metellus intercepted McCarthy during one of the team’s two 11-on-11 drills. The pass was targeting Lucky Jackson near the sideline and tipped initially by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers higher into the air, allowing Metellus to jump up and snag it.

On the offensive side, wide receiver Jalen Nailor (hand/wrist), fullback C.J. Ham (unknown) and lineman Henry Byrd (ankle) did not practice.

“Kind of figuring out what the best plan of action for return to play will be,” O’Connell said of Nailor. “Do feel good about where we’re at with that. ... I would consider it week-to-week at this point knowing we’ve got three weeks out from that opener that we can ramp him back up.”