Vikings Drop Game-Changing Justin Jefferson Announcement Ahead of Thrilling Texans Opener—Fans Are Stoked

Last time he was on the mic with Minnesota Vikings play-by-play broadcaster Paul Allen, Justin Jefferson put on a show from the sidelines.

Featured during the third quarter of last year’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, Jefferson watched as J.J. McCarthy dropped back and heaved a ball along the sidelines for Trishton Jackson that ended in a 45-yard touchdown.

Jefferson’s reaction went viral.

“Let’s goooooo,” he yelled, galloping down the sidelines to celebrate the score with his teammates.

After last year’s trial run of having Jefferson mic’d up for the whole third quarter, the Vikings announced they will be running it back for Saturday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans. Jefferson will join Allen on the Fox broadcast for the whole third quarter of the 3 p.m. kickoff on August 9.

The move will surely keep fans engaged, who can expect McCarthy to play in the first half and stick around for Jefferson’s sideline antics through the final half as well.

Justin Jefferson Among Many Vikings Starters Not Expected to Play Against Texans

Jefferson, nursing a minor hamstring injury, will not be playing on Saturday, along with many members of the starting offense.

That will put the onus on McCarthy to lead a productive offensive outing. It’s still early in the preseason, and while watching McCarthy put up big numbers will be what many fans watch for, the bigger task will be McCarthy getting the offense lined up correctly and calling out his protections without the help of starting veteran center Ryan Kelly.

Which starters will sit out of the game remains to be determined. However, head coach Kevin O’Connell has leaned toward using joint practices to evaluate the top of his roster over preseason games, meaning there may not be many starters who see the field at all on Saturday.

Viking WRs Remain the Most Enticing Position Battle

With Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games of the regular season, the Vikings’ wide receiver room is looking for a backup to step up to begin the season.

Jalen Nailor will assume Addison’s role opposite Jefferson, but who fills in as the No. 3 receiver remains to be seen.

Lucky Jackson has shone in training camp and has the most experience in the offense of the receivers under consideration.

Meanwhile, former Arizona Cardinals second-round pick Rondale Moore has stepped up in recent days and shown he still has the speed of explosiveness tantamount to his game despite coming off an ACL injury.

Rookie third-round pick Tai Felton has also flashed big-play potential but has had his rookie moments and lacked consistency at times.

J.J. McCarthy, Sam Howell Headline QBs to Watch

McCarthy will be the main story from the game, but backup Sam Howell may be facing higher stakes after recent struggles in camp.

If Howell cannot put together a clean game, Brett Rypien and rookie Max Brosmer should get more tread during the game and have a chance to surpass Howell in the quarterback pecking order.