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Vikings’ Justin Jefferson on 49ers’ Gameplan: ‘With All Due Respect, I’m Not Garrett Wilson’ | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors
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Vikings’ Justin Jefferson on 49ers’ Gameplan: ‘With All Due Respect, I’m Not Garrett Wilson’ | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 10: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings on the sideline during a practice game against the Las Vegas Raiders at US Bank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Ahead of Sunday’s showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers, Justin Jefferson hasn’t made much of a difference in the reigning NFC champions’ plan to defend Garrett Wilson in Week 1.

Jefferson said “with all due respect, I’m not Garrett Wilson” when asked if he learned anything from watching Monday night’s game between the 49ers and the New York Jets, because “teams play me totally different.”

VikingzFanPage @vikingzfanpage

#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson on watching the #49ers defended Garrett Wilson in Week 1 to prepare him for Sunday:
“Yes and no. With all due respect, I’m not Garrett Wilson. Teams play me completely differently.” photo.twitter.com/Bfbdqm6SDT

Aaron Rodgers targeted Wilson 10 times on his 21 pass attempts (47.6 percent). It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Jefferson see a similar number of targets this week, especially since Jordan Addison has already been ruled out with an ankle injury.

TJ Hockenson is also out as he recovers from torn anterior and medial cruciate ligaments (CCL) he suffered in last season’s Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions.

When the 49ers and Vikings met in Week 7 last year, Jefferson was unable to play due to a hamstring injury. Addison had his best game of the season with 123 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions.

Sam Darnold made a stellar debut as Minnesota’s starting quarterback last week, completing his first 12 passes en route to going 19 of 24 for 208 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a 28-6 win over the New York Giants.

Jefferson didn’t have a great game because Darnold was able to spread the ball around. He had just four receptions for 59 yards and one touchdown on six targets. Eight different players caught a pass for the Vikings in Week 1.

The 49ers’ defense will likely pose more problems for the Vikings. They held the Jets to 266 total yards, just 68 of which came on the ground. They gave up at least 100 rushing yards in each of their last four games last season, including the playoffs.

Don’t be surprised to see Darnold target Jefferson in an attempt to keep pace with the 49ers in a game that will likely produce a lot of scoring given the offensive talent on both teams.