By admin 
Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been one of the best players at his position since he entered the NFL during the 2020 season. He began his seventh season with Minnesota on Sunday, along with a new quarterback throwing to him, as Kyler Murray started his tenure with the Vikings.
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Jefferson is coming off an uncharacteristically quiet season in 2025, as he caught 84 passes for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns. These yardage and touchdown numbers were the lowest of his career.
Much of these lowered numbers were due to the uncertainty at the quarterback position. On Sunday, though, he had a great start to the new season.
In the first half against the Packers, Jefferson led the Vikings with five receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown, which was a 39-yard scoring grab from backup quarterback Carson Wentz.
In the second quarter, as Jefferson caught a 17-yard pass from Wentz, he dropped to the ground. As he did, he was hit in the back of the head by Packers safety Evan Williams, which drew a penalty flag for unnecessary roughness.
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Packers get flagged for a personal foul for this hit to the back of the head of Justin Jefferson pic.twitter.com/7Zd0CnF0M7
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) September 13, 2026
This was a 15-yard penalty added on after the catch, and it could also cost Williams some money before next week. The NFL hands out fines to players for various in-game violations. Things like “Impermissible Use of the Helmet/Launching,” which would carry a $23,882 fine on the first offense, could be given to Williams for his hit on Jefferson.
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Thankfully for Jefferson and Vikings fans, the star wideout was not injured on the play, and even finished off the same drive with his lone touchdown in the first half.
Minnesota trailed Green Bay 19-10 at halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
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This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 3:16 PM.