Vikings' Justin Jefferson avoids 'significant' injury; Josh Dobbs benched - ESPN

Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson will return home with the team after visiting a local hospital following a chest injury in the first half of a 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Speaking after the game, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said the team sent Jefferson for further evaluation to rule out any serious internal injuries after a hit by Raiders safety Marcus Epps. Jefferson returned to Allegiant Field by the end of the game, but whether he'll be ready to play next Saturday at Cincinnati Bengals has not yet been determined.

«It looks like we avoided any significant thing there,» O'Connell said.

Jefferson's absence played a notable role in the Vikings' failure to score until Greg Joseph kicked a 36-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining in the game. It was the lowest-scoring indoor game in NFL history and the first to end 3-0 since 2007.

The Vikings' winning drive was led by backup quarterback Nick Mullens, who replaced Josh Dobbs midway through the fourth quarter.

O'Connell said he was not ready to name a starting quarterback moving forward, citing the need to assess other injuries sustained Sunday — from Jefferson to right tackle Brian O'Neill (ankle) to running back Alexander Mattison (ankle).

Jefferson's injury occurred with 9:54 remaining in the second quarter, when he jumped to catch a high pass from Dobbs and was hit hard by Epps after a 15-yard reception. Jefferson grabbed his lower back and immediately left the field. In all, he caught two passes on three targets for 27 yards while playing a total of 13 snaps.

He was playing in his first game since suffering a right hamstring injury in Week 5, which forced him to miss seven games. He did not start Sunday but jogged onto the field for the second