Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson remains day-to-day with a sprained left ankle and will not practice Wednesday, NFL insider James Palmer reported after speaking with coach Kevin O’Connell.
“KOC says that Justin Jefferson is still considered day-to-day. Jefferson won’t practice today. The concern doesn’t appear to be too high right now,” Palmer wrote.
Jefferson suffered the injury late in the first quarter of Sunday’s 23-16 victory at Tampa Bay. He was hurt on a 10-yard screen pass near the end of Minnesota’s opening drive and finished with two catches for 32 yards on seven snaps.
He spent time in the sideline medical tent, returned to the bench with both ankles taped and later went to the locker room. The team ruled him out in the third quarter.
O’Connell said after the game that Jefferson “tried to work through it” and “got close a couple times” before the Vikings held him out. An MRI on Monday confirmed a sprain and no long-term damage.
“He avoided anything long-term. It’s just going to be about progressing throughout the week and where we can get him to from a standpoint of getting the swelling out and then what kind of work week he can have,” O’Connell said Monday.
“But I was very encouraged to get that news today.”
Jefferson has 13 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns through three games. He caught eight passes for 92 yards and two scores in the season opener against Green Bay, then added three catches for 55 yards in a rain-soaked win at Chicago.
The four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro has been durable for most of his career. He played all 17 games in each of the past two seasons and had not missed a contest because of injury since a hamstring tear cost him seven games in 2023.
Minnesota is 3-0 and hosts the 0-3 Miami Dolphins on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CDT.
Without Jefferson last week, Jordan Addison stepped up with five catches for 90 yards and a 41-yard touchdown from quarterback Kyler Murray. The Vikings still managed only seven first downs after Jefferson left and scored just one offensive touchdown.
Murray was making his first start since a concussion in Week 1. He completed 15 of 29 passes for 168 yards, took three sacks and threw an interception.
Jefferson’s practice participation Thursday and Friday will be the next key indicator of whether he can play Sunday. The Vikings have a Week 6 bye after next week’s trip to New Orleans, giving them a longer recovery window if they choose to rest him.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson and Addison would carry a larger load if Jefferson is limited or inactive. Tight end Josh Oliver is already out after tearing a biceps Sunday and needing surgery.
The Dolphins are off to a rough start and recently lost running back De’Von Achane to a season-ending ACL tear. Even so, Minnesota’s passing game has sputtered at times and would benefit from its top target if he can move freely.
Jefferson’s status remains the central story of the Vikings’ week as they try to stay undefeated.
