EAGAN, MN — Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson may not be sidelined for long after all.
Jefferson has an ankle sprain, but imaging on the injury came back good Monday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported in a post on X.
Rapoport said Jefferson avoided anything long-term, and there is a chance he plays this Sunday.
Jefferson hurt his left ankle on a catch-and-run on the final play of Minnesota's opening drive in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to the team's website.
He walked off the field on his own and spent time in the blue medical tent before returning to the sideline with his helmet, but he never went back in.
He headed to the locker room late in the first half and was ruled out during the third quarter. He finished with two catches for 32 yards.
The Vikings still pulled out a 23-16 win in Tampa to improve to 3-0.
Jordan Addison picked up much of the slack, hauling in five catches for 90 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown from Kyler Murray that put Minnesota back in front before halftime. Murray said after the game that "a lot of our offense goes through" Jefferson and that the team had to adjust on the fly once he went down.
Minnesota also got an 86-yard punt return touchdown from Myles Price, field goals of 54 and 56 yards from Will Reichard, and six sacks of Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield from its defense.
The Vikings next host the winless Miami Dolphins at home Sunday.
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