Justin Jefferson Is on the Doorstep of History… Again

Josh Frey |

Dec 21, 2023

Nov 14, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) flexes to the crowd after hanging on to a complete pass for a first down in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Six yards.

That’s all that stands between Justin Jefferson and yet another NFL record when the Minnesota Vikings take the field against the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon.

Justin Jefferson made his true return to the field last weekend when the Vikings took on the Cincinnati Bengals, and he recorded seven catches for 84 yards during the loss. Now, he only needs to record six yards in order to set a new four-year NFL receiving yards record.

Justin Jefferson Is on the Verge of History

That record is currently held by Michael Thomas, who recorded 5512 yards during his first four NFL seasons (2016-19). With Jefferson’s performance last weekend, he now is up to 5507 yards.

Remarkably, it has taken Jefferson just 57 games to get to this mark. The only player in the top 10 with fewer games played is Anquan Boldin, who recorded recorded 4605 yards in 55 games during his first four seasons from 2003-06.

Jefferson spent a large chunk of his fourth NFL season on IR, missing seven games from Weeks 6-12 because of a hamstring injury. Then, he came back in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders, but he came out of that game in the second quarter because of a chest injury.

Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) stiff arms Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III (24) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Despite all the missed time, Jefferson remains on the doorstep of history, and he will almost certainly get it done against the Detroit Lions this weekend.

Last time the Vikings played against Detroit, Jefferson broke the Vikings single-game receiving yards record by catching 11 passes which went for 223 yards. Ironically, the former record holder, Sammy White, also set his franchise mark of 210 yards against the Lions back in 1976.

Two Young Vikings Make 'Top 25 Under 25' List — Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Of course, the Vikings ultimately lost that game to Detroit by a score of 34-23, so Minnesota needs a better outcome this weekend if they want to keep their hopes in the NFC North alive.

We’ll see if Jefferson can replicate that type of performance on Sunday when the Vikings kick things off against the Lions at 12 PM Central on Christmas Eve.

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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.