Justin Jefferson missed the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins because of a sprained left ankle, but his absence may not extend much longer.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Jefferson made “great progress” ahead of Sunday’s game, although Minnesota is not yet ready to say whether its star receiver will return in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints.
“We’ll see how he does throughout the week,” O’Connell said Monday. “I don’t have any real projection on whether we’ll have him or not.”
How Long Is Justin Jefferson Out?
Jefferson’s earliest possible return remains Sunday, October 11, against the New Orleans Saints.
His status is now essentially a day-to-day proposition entering the Vikings’ Week 5 preparation.
O’Connell said Jefferson made “great progress” while rehabbing his ankle last week, but he did not practice before Minnesota ultimately ruled him out against Miami.
The next major checkpoint will be whether Jefferson can participate when the Vikings return to practice.
“We’re gonna allow that to be a medical thing, from a standpoint of if he’s able to start getting some limited work in,” O’Connell said after Sunday’s win.
There is an obvious reason Minnesota could take an especially cautious approach. The Vikings have a Week 6 bye, meaning sitting Jefferson against New Orleans would give him nearly another two weeks to recover before Minnesota’s next game.
O’Connell, however, said the bye will not dictate the decision.
“We’ll see how he does throughout the week,” O’Connell said Monday. “I don’t have any real projection on whether we’ll have him or not.”
That leaves Jefferson legitimately questionable for Week 5 rather than on a firm return timetable. CBS Sports listed him as questionable for Minnesota’s game at New Orleans as of Monday.
What Injury Does Justin Jefferson Have?
Jefferson suffered a sprained left ankle during Minnesota’s Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 27.
The injury occurred on a 10-yard reception in the first quarter.
Jefferson was examined after leaving the field and ultimately did not return. An MRI subsequently confirmed the ankle sprain.
Minnesota never placed Jefferson on injured reserve, which would have required him to miss at least four games.
Instead, the Vikings allowed him to rehab throughout the week before officially ruling him out against Miami.
When Will Justin Jefferson Return?
October 11 against the New Orleans Saints is currently the earliest Jefferson could return.
That should not be confused with a firm return date.
Jefferson first needs to resume practicing, and Minnesota will have three injury reports next week that should provide considerably more information about his status.
There is another wrinkle to that particular matchup.
Jefferson is a Louisiana native who starred at LSU before the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. O’Connell acknowledged the significance of the upcoming trip while discussing Jefferson’s recovery.
The Vikings therefore have an obvious target.
Whether Jefferson’s ankle cooperates is the remaining question.
Justin Jefferson Misses First Game Since 2023
Sunday also ends a significant run of durability for Jefferson.
He played all 17 regular-season games in both 2024 and 2025, meaning the Dolphins matchup will be his first missed game since a hamstring injury cost him seven games during the 2023 season.
Jefferson had 13 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns through Minnesota’s first three games this season.
The Vikings already know they won’t have him against Miami.
The more consequential update comes next week: whether Jefferson is back on the practice field in time to make New Orleans a realistic return date.
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