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Vikings' Justin Jefferson Has Ankle Sprain, Could Play This Week
Confirmed
In Short: Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson suffered an ankle sprain during Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but an MRI performed Monday revealed it is not a serious injury.
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Jefferson was close to returning to the game but ultimately could not. The team's offense struggled after Jefferson's injury, managing only seven first downs.
Jefferson, a two-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, has been largely healthy throughout his NFL career, playing in every Vikings game for five of his six full seasons.
Despite Jefferson's injury, the Vikings won the game 23-16, improving their record to 3-0 this season.
Jefferson led the Vikings with 92 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches before his injury, and the offense was more effective in the second half.
Meanwhile, in unrelated news, a 40-year-old woman in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, died from complications related to measles. She was unvaccinated and had serious respiratory issues.
The Jefferson County coroner is working with Pennsylvania health officials on the case, and the CDC has not yet been notified about this death.
In other news, Jefferson White is returning to the Yellowstone TV universe in Marshals Season 2, reprising his role as Jimmy Hurdstrom.
Fantasy football analysts note that while Justin Jefferson looked like a strong play, weather conditions may have hampered his performance.
The Vikings are optimistic about Jefferson's recovery, and there is a chance he could play against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday.
What this adds
The measles death in Jefferson County highlights the serious complications that can arise from the disease, especially in unvaccinated individuals.
Fantasy football analysts are closely monitoring Jefferson's status as injuries and bye weeks approach, impacting player performance and team strategies.
What's confirmed
- Jefferson White is returning to the Yellowstone TV universe in Marshals Season 2.
What's still developing
- 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.
- At one point after Jefferson's injury, Murray completed only two of 15 passes.
- Last season, Malik Nabers and Justin Jefferson were both first-round picks.
- Nabers suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 and Jefferson was a bust, finishing as the fantasy WR21.
- Carson Wentz completed 11 of 20 passes for 143 yards, and Justin Jefferson was held to a mere 55 receiving yards on three catches.
- Minnesota is now undefeated with Wentz as the starter, and while he didn't do much against the Bears on Sunday, he looked sharp in Week 1, repeatedly connecting with Jefferson.
- State officials announced last month two other measles-related deaths and say they’re investigating the death reported in Jefferson County.
- Fans eager to see how Kyler Murray would integrate within Kevin O’Connell’s offense that features Justin Jefferson had to be patient on Sunday.
- The last time viewers saw him, he was working as a horse trainer in Texas with Travis, played by franchise creator Taylor Sheridan.
- The second season of Marshals will, in fact, feature some action in Texas given that Kayce Dutton’s son Tate, played by Brecken Merrill, is in trouble after being taken bass fishing in Texas by Tom Weaver, played by Chris Mulkley, a Wall Street trader-turned-rancher who has been trying to buy Dutton’s East Camp.
- In Yellowstone, White’s character Hurdstram was shipped off to Texas after injuring himself in a rodeo and breaking a promise to John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner.