Justin Jefferson ‘completely present’ at Vikings training camp as he recovers from hamstring injury

Entering training camp, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said there needed to be “an invisible presence” around TCO Performance Center this season pushing the entire organization to work to be worthy of what they want to achieve.

In some ways, Justin Jefferson has served as a physical embodiment of that presence during camp.

The star wide receiver has been a constant fixture during practices, only absent one day since it was announced Friday that he sustained a minor hamstring strain and would take time off.

He shags footballs during quarterback and wide receiver drills. He sticks close to O’Connell in early portions of practice during individual work, high-fiving him, tossing around a football, or, as was the case Tuesday, getting him to juggle.

Most importantly, Jefferson is coaching and cheering up teammates both on good reps and poor ones, pushing them to better their games and bettering his own in return.

“Justin wants to be out here, be around, wants to be present with his teammates, and not just with the receiver group, the offense,” O’Connell said Tuesday. “There’s a lot of ways we can maximize this time as one of our captains, guy who sets the tone in this building. And he is knocking it out of the park.”

And no need to worry that Jefferson’s overexerting himself at practice or putting himself at risk for further injury: O’Connell said there’s still “zero worry” about Jefferson missing the Sept. 8 season opener against the Bears in Chicago.

“Rehab’s going really well,” O’Connell said. “Already progressing. Could end up being a blessing in disguise in a lot of ways, where Justin’s mentally preparing and engaging with his teammates. He’s totally and completely present every single day.”

Though shouts of Jefferson’s name from fans desperate to get his attention ring out often each day, Jefferson is indeed completely present in his focus on practice.

Only briefly and very subtly does he flash a peace sign to some young fans, and that’s only a few minutes after he’d accidentally faked them out by approaching the sideline to grab a football without acknowledgment.

Especially during team drills where the offense and defense are facing off, Jefferson stands close to the video board, turning his attention to it after nearly every rep.

After one successful second team rep where backup quarterback Sam Howell completed a pass to rookie receiver Tai Felton, Jefferson slapped the football in his hand in celebration before heading to the video board with Felton and wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell.

One of what’s been only a few looks at the core of the special teams unit — kicker Will Reichard, punters Ryan Wright and Oscar Chapman and long snapper Andrew DePaola — came at the close of practice Tuesday.

The Vikings ran a situational drill focusing on third-and-longs and then transitions to different fourth-down scenarios, either punting, attempting a field goal or going for the conversion.

Wright and Chapman alternated punting and holding for Reichard, who cleared five field goals from varying lengths. Two were within the situational drill, and three came in a succession of four kicks to cap practice.

Receivers Rondale Moore and Silas Bolden served as punt returners.

O’Connell began his time at the podium Tuesday by saying the Vikings’ organization was keeping the NFL’s league office in its thoughts following a shooting Monday afternoon within the Manhattan building that houses the league’s headquarters, among other businesses.

The gunman, who police believe is a Las Vegas casino worker named Shane Tamura, killed four people and himself. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said investigators believe Tamura was trying to reach the NFL offices but entered the wrong elevator.

A staff memo from league commissioner Roger Goodell said one NFL employee was seriously injured in the attack but was in stable condition at the hospital.

O’Connell said he trusts the Vikings’ own staff in charge of safety and security and is only occasionally briefed on matters of that nature.

“Those folks know that my expectation is that we are totally safe, and our folks always handle things so well and we expect our campus while we’re hosting our fans to remain that,” O’Connell said.

A handful of players came out late to Tuesday’s practice and did not end up practicing on what was a slower day when the Vikings wore just their shells — helmets and lighter shoulder pads with shorts.

Safeties Josh Metellus (ankle) and Harrison Smith (rest) and center Ryan Kelly (unknown) were present but did not participate.

Fullback C.J. Ham was not seen at practice, nor was left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who is continuing to work back from a 2024 knee injury.

O’Connell said cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who was not present at Monday’s practice, is dealing with “a little soreness.” Rodgers was back on the field Tuesday but in a limited capacity. He’s expected to return to full participation sometime this week.

Rookie linebacker Chaz Chambliss was activated from the physically unable to perform list Monday and has practiced both days this week.