EAGAN, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson won't play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins because of a sprained left ankle, coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday.
Jefferson did not practice this week after suffering what O'Connell has called a relatively mild injury in the first quarter of the Vikings' victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.
O'Connell said Jefferson is "definitely feeling better" and did not rule out a return for next week's game at the New Orleans Saints. He has 13 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns in three games this season.
"We'll see how he comes in," O'Connell said after Friday's practice. "He's going to get treatment throughout the next couple days and the goal is try to get him back out there practicing next week. I know it's a big one for him next week going to Louisiana."
Jefferson was born in St. Rose, Louisiana, and he played collegiately at LSU.
He had played in 39 consecutive games since a torn right hamstring had sidelined him for seven games in 2023. Prior to that, he had played in 55 consecutive games.
With Jefferson sidelined, Jordan Addison is likely to be the Vikings' top target against the Dolphins. He caught five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown after Jefferson's injury. The Vikings' three receiver sets will include Addison, Jauan Jennings and either Myles Price or Tai Felton.
The 2020 first-round pick led the NFL in receiving yards per game (96.5) from 2020-24, but his production dipped dramatically in 2025 as the Vikings tried to develop quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Playing with McCarthy for 10 games and rookie Max Brosmer for two, Jefferson finished the season with a career-low average of 61.6 yards per game.
The Vikings had high hopes of a resurgence in 2026 after signing new starting quarterback Kyler Murray, but they have played only 18 snaps together this season due to Jefferson's ankle injury and a concussion that Murray suffered in Week 1.