EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson has rejoined the Minnesota Vikings for practice, after a mild strain of his left hamstring kept him sidelined for 3½ weeks.
Jefferson was on the field for the light session on Monday, the latest ramp-up of his activity since he suffered the injury during the second practice of training camp on July 24. He took part in individual drills, but not full-team work.
Because Jefferson missed seven games with a more severe strain of his right hamstring during the 2023 season and considering his importance to the team, the Vikings have been extra cautious with his recovery. Coach Kevin O'Connell said he didn't believe Jefferson would have to adjust his routine moving forward, however, as he takes part in “bits and pieces” of practices this week and next.
“He’s done such a good job with building his strength and doing the work with the medical team and the strength team that I think he feels like he’s pretty darn close and ready to go,” O'Connell said of the two-time All-Pro, who has the most receiving yards in NFL history through a player's first five seasons.
The Vikings open the regular season on Sept. 8 at Chicago, and there's never been any concern about Jefferson being back to full strength on the field for the Monday night showcase against the NFC North rival Bears. But the waiting is sometimes the hardest part.
“I want to be out here with the guys. I want to be playing football. I want to be in the mix,” Jefferson said after practice. “It’s definitely tough at times mentally, but every day you’ve just got to focus on the things that you focus on and think about getting to the next stage.”
The Vikings will be without Jefferson’s primary sidekick, Jordan Addison, for their first three games while he serves a suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Their third receiver, Jalen Nailor, recently jammed his hand and is on a week-to-week timetable to return, O’Connell said. He declined to address whether surgery was being considered for Nailor.
“We're figuring out the best plan of action for return to play will be, but I do feel good about where we’re at with that,” O'Connell said.
The upside to Jefferson's absence has been increased opportunities for the rest of the wide receivers vying for spots, with one more opened by the season-ending left knee injury that occurred for Rondale Moore in the team's first exhibition game.
Rookie Tai Felton, the third-round draft pick out of Maryland who's also on track for a kickoff returner role, has a roster spot secured. Beyond him, the pool of competitors include fourth-year player Tim Jones, past practice squad members Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones and Thayer Thomas and undrafted rookies Myles Price and Silas Bolden.
“There’s obviously a lot of guys who wouldn’t be here if we didn’t see the talent, the skill sets, the ability," O'Connell said. "I do feel good about the depth.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) stands on the field during a joint NFL football training camp with the New England Patriots Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is seen before the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
BERLIN (AP) — Martin Terrier scored a contender for goal of the season as Bayer Leverkusen defeated local rival Cologne 2-0 in their 73rd Bundesliga derby on Saturday.
Arthur’s cross from the right was behind Terrier, but the French forward dropped down and looped the ball in over Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe with the back of his heel to break the deadlock in the 66th minute.
Robert Andrich headed in from Aleix Garcia’s corner six minutes later to seal the win.
Leverkusen was without key players Patrik Schick and Álex Grimaldo but still boasted enough talent to create the greater chances against the visitors, who had injury-enforced absences of their own.
The win kept Leverkusen in fourth place, the last for Champions League qualification.
Ritsu Doan scored for Eintracht Frankfurt to end its four-game winless run across all competitions with a 1-0 win over Augsburg.
The Japan forward took the ball past two Augsburg defenders and unleashed his shot before he was closed down by two more. The deflection from a retreating defender took the ball beyond Finn Dahmen in the Augsburg goal in the 68th minute, setting off relief-tinged celebrations around the stadium.
Noahkai Banks briefly spoiled the mood when he equalized late, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. It was the second goal that was ruled out for offside for the visitors in the game.
Frankfurt lost narrowly at Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, after it was routed 6-0 at home by Leipzig in its previous game.
“The lads tried with all they had left in the tank,” Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller said of his team's busy schedule. “They were lacking that bit of freshness. It's been a grueling six months.”
St. Pauli overcame a harsh sending off to end its 10-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over relegation rival Heidenheim.
Pauli had Eric Smith sent off before the break when referee Sören Storks penalized him for a foul on Marvin Pieringer as the last defender, though TV replays showed the Heidenheim forward made the most of light contact and threw himself to the ground. There was no VAR intervention.
Martijn Kaars had already put Pauli ahead, and he stunned the visitors by scoring the second against the run of play early the second half.
Pieringer pulled one back later, but Pauli held on for its third league win of the season.
Wolfsburg’s revival under interim coach Daniel Bauer continued with a 3-1 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. It stretched the team’s unbeaten run to three games.
Hoffenheim defeated promoted Hamburger SV 4-1 for its fourth straight home win.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Leverkusen's Martim Terrier celebrates after he scored the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1.FC Cologne in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Leverkusen's Martim Terrier celebrates after he scored the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1.FC Cologne in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
St. Pauli's Martijn Kaars celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC St. Pauli and 1. FC Heidenheim in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marcus Brandt/dpa via AP)
Frankfurt's head coach Dino Toppmoeller, left, gives instructions during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
Frankfurt's Rasmus Kristensen celebrates at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
Frankfurt's Ritsu Doan, left, and Augsburg's Han-Noah Massengo, right, challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
Frankfurt's Ritsu Doan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
