Minnesota Vikings fans may have to closely monitor Justin Jefferson's status before their Week 4 game against the Miami Dolphins. Jefferson was not spotted at the open portion of Thursday's practice, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert. The superstar Vikings wide receiver also sat out Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury sustained in last Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jefferson left the Week 3 game after the opening series and did not return. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said the 27-year-old avoided a significant injury and will be day-to-day. "He’s feeling a little bit better, but not in any place right now to talk about what that means for the weekend.
I know we were encouraged about what it actually is. Now it’s just about working through it," O'Connell told reporters on Wednesday. "We'll try to get him to a place where he can go, and we'll see as the week goes on." While he doesn't necessarily need to see Jefferson practice to play him, O'Connell added that they'll take a prudent approach with the four-time Pro Bowler.
"It's such a long season. We ask so much out of him, and he's such a competitor that we'll be smart about it," O'Connell said. "He's got to get to a certain place where we feel like he can go be himself." Seeking his seventh straight 1,000-yard season, Jefferson has opened the 2026 campaign with 179 yards in three games.
He scored two touchdowns in Minnesota's Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Losing Jefferson would be a tough blow for the league's bottom-ranked offense, but the Vikings are nevertheless one of two undefeated NFC teams. Facing the winless Dolphins could make them more likely to proceed with caution and not rush back their top playmaker.
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