Vikings reach 3-0 with win over Buccaneers as Jefferson awaits ankle evaluation

Minnesota beat Tampa Bay 23-16 on Sunday to reach 3-0, but the Vikings finished the game without Justin Jefferson after the receiver suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter. BBC Sport's Week 3 report placed Minnesota among five teams still unbeaten after Sunday's games, alongside Buffalo, Kansas City, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

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Myles Price supplied an 86-yard punt-return touchdown and Kyler Murray found Jordan Addison for a 41-yard scoring pass, according to the Associated Press report carried by MPR News. Tampa Bay fell to 0-3, while Minnesota opened with three consecutive victories for the second time in three seasons. The Buccaneers had not started 0-3 since 2014.

Jefferson caught two passes for 32 yards before leaving, Field Level Media reported. He walked off without assistance and remained on the sideline for part of the second quarter before going to the locker room. Coach Kevin O'Connell said Jefferson had tried to continue and had come close to returning, but was ultimately ruled out. Further evaluation was planned for Monday.

Murray completed 15 of 29 attempts for 168 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, the AP reported. It was his first complete game for Minnesota after a concussion interrupted his season opener. Will Reichard kicked a 56-yard field goal with 3:10 remaining to put the Vikings ahead 20-16, then added a 43-yarder to establish the final margin.

Tampa Bay also lost its starting quarterback late in the game. According to the AP, Baker Mayfield hurt his thumb while attempting a pass in the fourth quarter and rookie Jalon Daniels replaced him in the final minute. Mayfield finished with 217 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, and was sacked six times.

Field Level Media reported that Jefferson had played every regular-season game in both 2024 and 2025. He has 13 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns through three games this season. O'Connell's postgame comments left his availability unresolved pending the additional assessment, despite Minnesota preserving its unbeaten start.