Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is questionable to return against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after suffering an ankle injury in the first quarter.
Jefferson entered Sunday’s Week 3 matchup as one of Minnesota’s central offensive players but left the field after the Vikings’ opening series.
He was evaluated inside the team’s blue medical tent and initially remained on the sideline before eventually heading toward the locker room.
FOX Sports reported that Jefferson had been evaluated for the ankle issue after recording two receptions on two targets.
The exact moment he sustained the injury was not immediately clear because he did not require medical attention while making either of his catches.
Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell indicated during an interview with FOX after the first quarter that the team was working to get Jefferson back onto the field.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert also reported that Jefferson had spent an extended period inside the medical tent.
Without Jefferson, Tai Felton took his snaps while Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings faced increased responsibility in Minnesota’s passing attack.
The Vikings opened the scoring with a field goal before Myles Price added a punt-return touchdown. Tampa Bay responded when Baker Mayfield connected with Ted Hurst for a 40-yard touchdown.
The Buccaneers also lost a receiver during the game, with Jalen McMillan ruled out after suffering a knee injury.
Jefferson had not missed a game because of injury since 2023. That season, a hamstring injury placed him on injured reserve and caused him to miss seven games. He played all 17 games in both 2024 and 2025.
Jefferson’s status remained questionable to return during the game. The Vikings had not provided a more specific diagnosis or timetable in the supplied reports.
