Steelers brace for challenge of one of NFL’s top WRs, Vikings’ Justin Jefferson
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Moments after stumping for teammate T.J. Watt to win the NFL’s defensive player of the year award this season, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was discussing a high-profile player on the upcoming opponent.
“Like what we say about T.J.,” Fitzpatrick was saying of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, “he can be a game breaker as well. You have to always know where he is.”
Fitzpatrick and the rest of the Steelers’ secondary will be tasked with locating Jefferson on Thursday night. The second-year player has been the NFL’s hottest receiver over the past month, leading the league in receiving yards (577) and catches (32, tied) over the past four weeks of games.
For the season, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Jefferson is second in receiving yards (1,209), seventh in catches (78) and tied for eighth in touchdowns (seven).
Justin Jefferson has been on fire lately, and Week 13 was no exception. ???? pic.twitter.com/1FR1LPhyL8
— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2021
“We’ve got our hands full trying to minimize Jefferson and his talents,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.
“He’s really challenging. He’s an easy and fluid mover. He’s got great vision. His run after is exceptional because of that vision. He’s able to contort his body and adjust and make difficult catches seem easy.”
The Steelers, in all likelihood, will be without No. 1 cornerback Joe Haden in handling the task. Haden has missed the past three games because of a foot injury. During Sunday’s win against the Baltimore Ravens, Ahkello Witherspoon was promoted to Haden’s replacement as the full-time left outside cornerback.
Jefferson is fourth in the NFL in both yards per targeted throw (10.8) and yards per route run (2.69, according to Pro Football Focus). PFF’s subjective grades also pit Jefferson as the third-best WR in the league.
“He gets open,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said. “He does a good job running routes. He and the quarterback (Kirk Cousins) are in tune.”
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