Unexpected Justin Jefferson Replacement Emerges at Vikings Camp

After an injury scare at training camp, Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson will be reevaluated this week for his return to practice.

But in the meantime, it hasn’t been former Arizona Cardinals second-round pick Rondale Moore or third-round rookie Tai Felton taking the extra available reps.

Instead, it was XFL standout Lucky Jackson who “almost exclusively” took all the work available with Jefferson sidelined on Day 4 of Vikings training camp, according to Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller.

In his third year with the team after going undrafted in 2020, Jackson was leaned on for his knowledge of the offense in a high-intensity practice that required receivers to execute at a high level for J.J. McCarthy — and Jackson excelled.

“Lucky Jackson was fantastic. He had two different catches where he came over the middle and J.J. McCarthy hit him right on the money,” Coller said on July 26, adding that Jackson could contend for a roster spot with how he slotted in as the No. 3 receiver with Jefferson out.

“We’ve spent a lot of time discussing Rondale Moore and what he could bring to this team and it’s very possible that he still can… But for today, Lucky Jackson made a really, really good impression.”