Justin Jefferson Sidelined with Ankle Injury

The Minnesota Vikings announced Friday that star wide receiver Justin Jefferson will miss Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins due to an ankle injury.

Jefferson, 27, sprained his left ankle during the first quarter of the Vikings' Week 3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was unable to practice throughout the week.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed hope that Jefferson could return for Minnesota's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, noting the significance of the upcoming game for the Louisiana native. "He’s going to get treatment throughout the next couple of days, and the goal is to try to get him back out there practicing next week," O’Connell stated.

This marks the first game Jefferson has missed since the 2023 season, when a hamstring injury sidelined him for seven games. In the first three games of the current season, Jefferson recorded 179 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 13 receptions, contributing to the Vikings' 3-0 start.

With Jefferson out, receiver Jordan Addison is expected to become Minnesota's primary target against the Dolphins. Addison caught five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown in the previous game. Jefferson, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, has been with the Vikings for his entire seven-year career, amassing 8,659 receiving yards and 44 touchdowns. He earned All-Pro honors in 2022 and 2024.