Justin Jefferson left the Minnesota Vikings’ game at Tampa Bay Today with a left ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return. The star receiver got hurt at the end of a 10 yard catch on a screen pass, the last play of Minnesota’s opening drive. He spent a long stretch in the medical tent, came out wearing his helmet and watched from the sideline before walking to the locker room. He wasn’t seen on the sideline in the second half. The Vikings held on without him and led the Buccaneers 23 to 16 with 33 seconds left.
The team hasn’t said how serious the injury is. The next game adds some intrigue, because the Vikings host the Miami Dolphins in Week 4, and Miami may be without its own star after De’Von Achane injured his knee Sunday.
What happened to Justin Jefferson?
The injury looked routine at first. Jefferson caught a 22 yard pass earlier on the drive, then got tangled up at the end of his 10 yard catch. He didn’t need help getting off the field, which gave fans some hope, but the extended time in the tent and his trip to the locker room told a different story. The Vikings ruled him out for the rest of the game.
How did the Vikings win without Jefferson?
They won with defense and Jordan Addison. The No. 2 receiver caught a long touchdown from Kyler Murray in the second quarter to give Minnesota a 17 to 10 lead, and he finished the first half with three catches for 75 yards. After that, the offense stalled. Murray, playing his first full game since a Week 1 concussion, went through a long stretch where the passing game did little, and at one point the Vikings had more punts than first downs.
Brian Flores’ defense carried them. Minnesota stopped Tampa Bay on 11 of 13 third downs at one point, and Andrew Van Ginkel’s diving interception of Baker Mayfield on fourth and 13 in the final two minutes all but sealed it. Kicker Will Reichard hit three field goals, including a 56 yarder.
Is Justin Jefferson injury prone?
Not historically. Jefferson played every game in five of his six full seasons. The exception was 2023, when a torn right hamstring cost him seven games. That durability is part of why this injury stands out.
Why does this injury hurt Jefferson more than usual?
His last season and a half have been a grind. In 2025, as Minnesota rotated through quarterbacks, he had the worst season of his career with 1,048 yards in 17 games, less than he gained in 10 games in 2023. The switch to Murray was supposed to bring back the old Jefferson. Instead, he has 179 receiving yards through three weeks, the fewest of his career at this point in a season.
Will Justin Jefferson play against the Dolphins?
That’s the question hanging over the week. The Vikings haven’t given a timeline, and ankle injuries can range from a day-to-day issue to several weeks. If Jefferson can’t go, Addison moves into the top role and tight end T.J. Hockenson becomes an even bigger target. On the other sideline, Miami coach Jeff Hafley said Achane’s outlook does not sound very optimistic. Two teams could meet in Minnesota next Sunday without their biggest playmakers, and the next injury report may say as much about the game as the result in Tampa.
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