Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson's highly anticipated return to the field was cut short on Sunday after he suffered an internal chest injury during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Jefferson, who had been sidelined since Week 4 with a hamstring injury, took a hard hit from safety Marcus Epps while attempting to make a catch in the first half. Head coach Kevin O'Connell described the injury as an "internal chest injury" and decided to send Jefferson to a local hospital for evaluation as a precautionary measure.

O'Connell expressed optimism about the initial evaluation, but the team will have to wait and see how this affects Jefferson's availability for their upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. The coach commended the doctors for their prompt action in ensuring the player's safety and stated that it appeared they had avoided any major complications.

Before exiting the game, Jefferson managed to make two catches for 27 yards, surpassing Randy Moss as the Vikings player with the most receiving yards in his first four seasons. Despite the injury setback, the Vikings managed to secure a 3-0 victory, with the only points coming from Greg Joseph's 36-yard field goal late in the game.

Backup quarterback Nick Mullens replaced Joshua Dobbs in the fourth quarter, as he was benched after a lackluster performance. Mullens completed 9 of 13 passes for 83 yards and praised his teammates for their support in helping him step in. O'Connell, who had named Dobbs the starter last week, refused to reveal who would be starting in their next game against the Bengals.

Justin Jefferson's return to the field after a seven-game absence was eagerly anticipated by Vikings fans. However, his comeback was short-lived as he sustained a chest injury during the game against the Raiders. The hit, delivered by Marcus Epps, forced Jefferson out of the game and he was subsequently transported to a local hospital for further assessment. The severity of the injury remains unknown.

Despite the disappointment of his early exit, Jefferson had a significant impact on the game. He made two catches, one of which moved him past Vikings legend Randy Moss for the most receiving yards in the first four seasons of a player's career. Prior to his hamstring injury, Jefferson had been performing exceptionally well, averaging 135.8 receiving yards per game during the first four weeks of the season.

Jefferson's absence has been a challenge for him personally, as he had set a goal of reaching 1,000 yards this season before his injury. He expressed frustration at missing seven games and seeing other players thrive throughout the league. However, he remains determined to bounce back and make a significant impact for his team.

As the Vikings move forward, they face uncertainty regarding Jefferson's availability for their next game against the Bengals. The team is hopeful that the injury is not serious and that their star receiver can quickly return to the field. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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