Justin Jefferson Injury: Update on Vikings superstar after concerning play knocked him out vs. Buccaneers
Jefferson’s departure is already affecting the Minnesota Vikings’ passing game, and the timeline for his return remains unclear.
Update: Justin Jefferson has been ruled out since this article was published with an ankle injury, per Vikings communications.
The Minnesota Vikings entered their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers relatively healthy at the wide receiver position. That changed in the first quarter when star wide receiver Justin Jefferson went down with an ankle injury, sending shockwaves through the Vikings’ offense.
Jefferson spent time in the medical tent getting looked at before moving to the sideline, where he tried to test out both ankles. He did not return to the game in the first quarter, and the situation escalated in the second quarter when he went back to the locker room for further evaluation.
What we know about Justin Jefferson’s status
The positive sign from the situation is that Jefferson did not appear to be limping while walking back to the locker room. Fox Sports’ Megan Olivi reported that Jefferson was restless on the sideline, trying to figure out how much he could push off on each foot. After getting both ankles taped up, with only his right ankle rolled up, his return to the locker room signals more of a precautionary measure and potentially a return for the second half.
The situation remains fluid. There is no definitive answer on whether Jefferson will return before the game ends.
Without Jefferson on the field, the passing game took a noticeable hit. Quarterback Kyler Murray suffered multiple coverage sacks because receivers were unable to get open. Fox Sports’ Jonathan Vilma described the Buccaneers as sitting on “basic routes,” which paints a clear picture of how Tampa Bay adjusted its defensive approach once Jefferson left the game.
The Vikings did find a spark on one drive, with Murray connecting with wide receiver Jordan Addison for a touchdown pass. Outside of that, though, things looked bleak through the air without Jefferson commanding attention from the defense. Things got better with a touchdown to Jordan Addison late in the second quarter, but it’s unclear if that will remain consistent.
Hopefully Jefferson is back before the game ends, but his absence could be a major blow to the Vikings if he is unable to return.
