What happened to Justin Jefferson? Why Vikings RB is not playing today vs Dolphins
· Yahoo Sports
The Minnesota Vikings are putting their perfect 3-0 record on the line against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, but they will have to do it without one of the biggest names on their offense.
Minnesota has been rolling through the opening weeks of the season, yet its preparation for Miami has taken a significant turn. The Vikings now face the challenge of replacing a player who has been central to their passing attack, with the latest update arriving before kickoff.
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Justin Jefferson ruled out for Vikings’ Week 4 matchup against Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18). Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.Justin Jefferson will not play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins after the Minnesota Vikings ruled their star wide receiver out with an ankle injury. The decision was reported by The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero on Friday and was later confirmed by the Vikings and NFL.
Pelissero reported on X: “The Vikings ruled out WR Justin Jefferson (ankle) for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.”
Jefferson suffered the injury during Minnesota’s 23-16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. He caught two passes for 32 yards before leaving the game and did not return, while head coach Kevin O’Connell later said the wide receiver had gotten close to returning.
The 27-year-old has been productive through the first three games of the season, recording 13 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He also played every regular-season game for the Vikings in both 2024 and 2025, making Sunday’s absence a notable one.
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Vikings will lean more heavily on Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson
With Jefferson unavailable, Minnesota will have to redistribute his targets against a Miami team still searching for its first win of the season. The Vikings enter the matchup at 3-0, while the Dolphins are 0-3.
Jordan Addison is positioned to take on a larger role in the passing game, while tight end T.J. Hockenson should also become a more prominent option for quarterback Kyler Murray. Jefferson’s absence removes the Vikings’ most established perimeter threat, making their supporting weapons more important against Miami.
There is also reason for Minnesota to remain cautious rather than rush Jefferson back. He did not practice at all during the week after suffering the ankle injury, and the Vikings ultimately made the decision to keep him out of Sunday’s contest.
The Vikings will now turn to Addison, Hockenson and the rest of their offense to fill the void as they attempt to move to 4-0. Jefferson’s next opportunity could come in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reporting that he is hopeful of returning then.
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