Jefferson MRI shows ankle sprain, avoids long-term damage — SkimNews
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- Justin Jefferson's MRI showed an ankle sprain with no long-term damage, per coach Kevin O'Connell, whose availability for Sunday against the visiting Miami Dolphins depends on reducing swelling and getting through a full work week.
- Jefferson did not return after hurting his left ankle on a 10-yard screen pass with 11:07 left in the first quarter during the Vikings' 23-16 win at Tampa Bay, which improved Minnesota to 3-0; O'Connell said he was "pretty close" to returning.
- Jordan Addison stepped up in Jefferson's absence with five catches for 90 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown from Kyler Murray in the second quarter — Minnesota's only offensive touchdown of the game.
- Kyler Murray struggled without his top target, completing just 2 of 15 passes at one stretch after the injury and finishing 15-of-29 for 168 yards with three sacks and a batted pass intercepted in the backfield.
- The Vikings managed just seven first downs after Jefferson exited, underscoring how dependent the passing game remains on him.
- Jefferson, a two-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, has played in every Vikings game across five of his six full seasons; his only prior significant absence was a torn right hamstring in 2023 that cost him seven games.
Why it matters: Jefferson is the fulcrum of Minnesota's passing game — after he left Sunday, Murray completed just 2 of 15 passes during one stretch and the Vikings managed only seven first downs. With Minnesota at 3-0 and hosting Miami, his availability Sunday is the difference between a functional offense and the one-dimensional attack Tampa Bay saw.
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