Justin Jefferson suffered an ankle injury in Minnesota’s Week 3 win over Tampa Bay, putting his availability under close watch throughout the week. The Minnesota Vikings head into Sunday’s meeting with the Miami Dolphins without knowing exactly how their passing game will look without their biggest receiving threat.
The Vikings had hoped the star receiver could recover in time, but his practice status became a major concern before the final injury report.
He had opened the 2026 season with 13 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns through three games. He had also played every game for Minnesota during the previous two seasons, making this his first absence since a seven-game spell in 2023 caused by a hamstring injury. The timing is frustrating for Jefferson.
Minnesota enters the Dolphins game at 3-0, so Jefferson’s absence creates a significant challenge for an unbeaten team.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the receiver is improving and indicated that the team hopes he can return to practice next week. “He’s definitely feeling better,” O’Connell said, adding that the team is encouraged by Jefferson’s progress but that he “just couldn’t get there. There is some optimism around Jefferson’s recovery despite the setback. For now, though, the priority is clear: get the star receiver healthy and back on the field without turning a short-term ankle issue into a bigger problem.