Justin Jefferson avoided a long-term ankle injury and could potentially play Sunday, while Josh Oliver will undergo surgery for a torn bicep and is expected to miss an extended period.
The Minnesota Vikings received encouraging news on star wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s ankle on Monday, but that positive development was overshadowed by a significant injury to tight end Josh Oliver.
Jefferson suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s 23-16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was unable to return after leaving the game in the first quarter. The star wide receiver underwent further testing Monday, with the results providing the Vikings with some relief.
Jefferson has an ankle sprain, but the imaging showed that he avoided a long-term injury. There is also a chance he could return Sunday when Minnesota faces the Miami Dolphins.
Kevin O’Connell said after Sunday’s game that Jefferson came close to returning several times but was ultimately held out. The Vikings clearly took a cautious approach with their top offensive weapon, especially with the injury occurring so early in the game.
Jefferson finished the afternoon with two catches for 32 yards before exiting. His absence forced Minnesota to adjust its approach, with Jordan Addison taking on a larger role. Addison finished with five receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown, helping the Vikings maintain enough production to secure the win.
The latest update hopefully means Minnesota will not have to prepare for an extended absence from Jefferson. However, his status will remain worth monitoring throughout the week as the Vikings determine whether he is healthy enough to return against Miami.
The situation surrounding Oliver is much more serious.
Oliver suffered a torn bicep during Sunday’s win and will undergo surgery soon. Oliver is a long shot to return during the regular season, making this potentially a season-ending injury for one of Minnesota’s most important blocking tight ends.
Hockenson remains Minnesota’s top tight end, while Gavin Bartholomew is currently the other tight end on the 53-man roster. The Vikings could also look to their practice squad for additional depth as they deal with Oliver’s absence.
For an offense that entered the season expecting to rely on its tight ends and running game, losing Oliver is a significant challenge. His blocking helped provide flexibility in Minnesota’s offense, and replacing that role will be difficult.
At 3-0, Minnesota has managed to overcome injuries early in the season. But replacing Oliver while hoping Jefferson can return quickly will be another challenge for O’Connell and the Vikings as they prepare for Miami.
On the bright side, the update to Jefferson is about as good as you could've hoped
