Sources: Vikes' Jefferson avoids serious injury, could play this week

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson has an ankle sprain, according to the MRI performed Monday, and there's a chance he is able to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Dan Graziano.

Jefferson did not return Sunday after suffering a left ankle injury at the end of the Vikings' first possession in a 23-16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that improved Minnesota to 3-0 this season.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said after Sunday's game that Jefferson was "pretty close" to returning to the game but "just couldn't get there."

His injury Sunday came at the end of a 10-yard screen pass with 11:07 remaining in the first quarter. He had earlier caught a 22-yard pass across the middle amid high hopes that he and Murray would team up to elevate the passing game.

In his absence, receiver Jordan Addison caught five passes for 90 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown from Kyler Murray in the second quarter. But it was the only offensive touchdown the Vikings scored Sunday as they managed just seven first downs after Jefferson's injury.

At one point after Jefferson's injury, Murray completed only two of 15 passes. He finished the day with 15 completions in 29 attempts for 168 yards, taking three sacks and having a batted pass intercepted in the backfield.

Jefferson, a two-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, has largely been healthy in his NFL career and has played in every Vikings game for five of his six full seasons. The lone exception was a torn right hamstring in 2023 that caused him to miss seven games.