Kyler Murray will be without top target Justin Jefferson as he tries to get on track in 2026.
The Vikings ruled out Jefferson for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 3.
Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell had been optimistic that Jefferson could return this week, but the wideout missing practices indicated that he'd likely be sidelined.
Jefferson "just couldn't get there," O'Connell said, via Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune.
Jefferson is the only Vikings player with multiple scrimmage touchdowns through Week 3, but his 179 receiving yards are the fewest through three games in his career.
With the star wideout sitting Week 4, Jordan Addison will move into the primary role after splashing several big plays in last Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. The Vikes need to get Jauan Jennings involved after he caught one pass over two games while dealing with injury.
Murray struggled in his return to the lineup in Week 3, and Minnesota has the worst total offense (238.3 total YPG) in the NFL in 2026. Getting back on track sans Jefferson won't be easy, but the Vikings will face a Dolphins defense that ranks 28th in points per game allowed and 29th in yards per play given up in three tilts.
The hope is Jefferson is healthy enough for Week 5 when the Vikings travel to his home state to play the Saints.
