The Minnesota Vikings are treating Justin Jefferson’s ankle as a short-term problem rather than a season-altering one, and they are hopeful the wide receiver can suit up next Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Jefferson has not practiced since suffering a mild ankle sprain in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He sat out the rest of that game as a precaution, then missed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday sessions and was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Jefferson was feeling better but simply could not get ready in time for the Dolphins.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the organization is leaving the door open for a return in New Orleans.
“They are hopeful for next week. They’re leaving the window open for that,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “It’s not a long-term issue. I checked with a source who said he will be, quote, okay. So it’s not one of those ankle sprains where you’re looking at four to six weeks.
“They’re just simply taking it week to week. He’s got New Orleans next week. He’s got those LSU roots. So he’s hoping to get back there and put on a show in the Superdome. So they’re somewhat optimistic. He didn’t touch the practice field this week. They’re hoping to rehab him over the weekend, get him back on the practice field next week.”
That timeline matters for an offense that has barely seen its best pieces together. Quarterback Kyler Murray and Jefferson have shared the field for only 18 snaps this season, a stretch interrupted by injuries on both sides. Both have said they want to play with each other. So far, that pairing has been more plan than reality.
Jefferson’s absence has also reshaped the rest of the attack. Jordan Addison has been productive in the meantime, catching seven passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, but defenses have been able to tilt coverage toward him.
A healthy Jefferson would force those looks to change and, in theory, give Addison cleaner windows. The run game felt the loss as well.
Once Jefferson left the Buccaneers game, Minnesota managed only 78 rushing yards as a team. Aaron Jones finished with 58 yards on 17 carries, a 3.4-yard average that underscored how much the offense leans on Jefferson’s presence even when the ball is not in his hands.
The Saints game would be a fitting stage if the ankle cooperates. Jefferson played at LSU, and a return in the Superdome would put him back in front of a familiar crowd.
Nothing is locked in. The Vikings are rehabbing him over the weekend and will reassess once he is back on the practice field.
For now, the message from inside the building is cautious optimism: this is not a four-to-six-week sprain, and next Sunday remains in play.
