The Vikings are heading into Sunday with their quarterback back, their top receiver rolling, and a 2-0 record intact. That’s a dangerous combination for a Tampa Bay team trying to stop the slide after an 0-2 start.
Kyler Murray is set to return to Minnesota’s offense when the Vikings visit the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. It will be Murray’s first game action since the opening quarter of Week 1, when he left with a concussion after an illegal hit. For Justin Jefferson, the timing couldn’t be better.
"I'm looking forward to it," Jefferson said. "Obviously, what we've built throughout training camp, throughout the offseason, leading into the season, that has been exciting. It's something that we've all been waiting for.
"The time was limited the first game, so for him to be back out there and for us to get back started with him is going to be a joy to see."
Jefferson has still been putting up numbers even without Murray for most of the first two games. He has 15 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns, more than twice the receiving yardage of tight end T.J. Hockenson, who is next on the team with 65 yards and a touchdown.
Minnesota may need more than its passing game to keep humming, though. Aaron Jones Sr. leads the team with 145 rushing yards and a touchdown, but he is in question for this weekend because of a knee injury. Jordan Mason is already out with a thumb injury, which could push the Vikings toward third- and fourth-string options like DeeJay Dallas and rookie sixth-round pick Demond Claiborne.
"Obviously, (we) feel good about DeeJay and getting Demond continued work," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said.
Dallas was also limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a toe injury. The Vikings’ injury report included right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee), defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (elbow) and center Nick Samac (knee).
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is trying to get itself on track after back-to-back losses. The Buccaneers dropped a 33-27 decision at Cincinnati in Week 1, then fell 23-19 at home to Cleveland in Week 2.
Baker Mayfield has a 86.6 passer rating through two games, with 398 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Chris Godwin Jr. leads the team with 86 receiving yards, while Bucky Irving has posted 134 rushing yards and a score.
The bigger problem for Tampa Bay may be the matchup on the outside. The Buccaneers have to deal with Jefferson two weeks after struggling against another former LSU star, Ja'Marr Chase.
Benjamin Morrison said the defense knows what’s coming.
"He is one of the best in the game right now for a reason," Morrison said. "It's proven. You turn on film and the ball finds him.
"He splits double teams and it looks smooth for him, so we have to be on our Ps and Qs and make sure that we are executing the (defense) right and playing to our leverage to be able to have a successful day on Sunday."
Tampa Bay also had injury concerns on defense, with linebacker Josiah Trotter (shoulder) and first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. (groin) both listed. Coach Todd Bowles said he was cautiously optimistic about Bain.
"I mean, I don't think he's completely healthy, but at the same time, he's good enough to play," Bowles said. "So we've got to get more production there."
The Vikings’ pass rush has been a bright spot, with Dallas Turner tied for third in the NFL with three sacks and sitting on 11 quarterback hits through two games.
In Other News...
Buccaneers Veteran Linebacker Gamble Already Looks Like A Serious Problem
The Buccaneers brought in Alex Anzalone to give a defense in transition some much-needed stability after Lavonte Davids retirement, hoping a veteran presence could steady the middle of the unit. Instead, the first two weeks of the 2026 season have brought the opposite kind of attention, with Anzalone drawing widespread criticism for missed tackles and coverage lapses that have stood out on a defense trying to find its footing.
What makes the situation more pressing is how directly those mistakes have affected game outcomes, turning a short-term answer into an early headache for the coaching staff. Tampa Bay is now reportedly weighing whether to bench him, a consideration that says plenty about how quickly the move has gone from a practical fix to a serious problem. [Read more 🡒]
Rond Barber Just Turned Up The Heat On The Buccaneers
The Buccaneers early-season stumble has already created an uneasy feeling around the building, and former Tampa Bay standout Ronde Barber added to it with his blunt assessment of a team that has looked out of sync on both sides of the ball. Through the first stretch of the 2026 season, the issues have been pretty clear: too many mistakes, not enough urgency, and not much to suggest the Bucs have found a steady rhythm yet.
Now the pressure shifts quickly to avoiding an 0-3 start against the Vikings, a place where the margin for error keeps shrinking with every missed assignment and stalled drive. For Tampa Bay, the challenge is no longer just about cleaning up a slow start. It is about finding some traction before the mood around the team gets even heavier. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Face A New Problem As Baker's Familiar Rival Comes To Town
Baker Mayfield knows Kyler Murray almost as well as anyone in Sundays matchup at Raymond James Stadium. The two were Oklahoma teammates, both went on to win the Heisman Trophy and both were taken No. 1 overall in the NFL draft, so the connection between them runs deeper than the usual quarterback-vs.-quarterback storyline. Mayfield spoke publicly about Murray this week, acknowledging the reputation that follows him while also praising the work ethic that helped shape his path.
It adds another layer to a game the Buccaneers already need. Mayfield and Tampa Bay are still searching for their first win of the 2026 season, while Murray arrives having recently cleared concussion protocol after taking a hit in his Vikings debut. For the Bucs, the challenge is not just stopping a familiar name, but dealing with a player whose familiarity comes with plenty of history and a little extra motivation on both sides. [Read more 🡒]