MINNEAPOLIS — Justin Jefferson celebrated Vikings Legends Weekend by continuing his way up the franchise leaderboard in a 34-7 win over the Texans.
The Vikings phenom entered Sunday's game with 400 receptions, tied with Ring of Honor receiver Ahmad Rashad for eighth in franchise history.
Jefferson moved past Rashad with his first reception of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans — a 9-yard catch that moved the chains on third-and-7.
His next catch — a 6-yarder for six points — was his 33rd career receiving touchdown, tying him with Jake Reed for eighth in franchise history.
Interestingly, Reed's 413 receptions with Minnesota are next on the leaderboard and Rashad is next up on the touchdown catches list with 34.
Jefferson racked up six catches for 81 yards in the first half, giving him 406 receptions through the first three games of his fifth pro season. He showed no signs of struggling from the thigh bruise he suffered in Week 2.
His day included catches of 28 and 5 yards on Minnesota's second possession that ended with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Aaron Jones, Sr., for a 14-0 lead with 1:08 remaining in the first quarter.
He would have also notched a 13-yarder on third-and-9 early in the second quarter, but it was negated by an illegal motion penalty on Jalen Nailor.
Jefferson opened Minnesota's final possession of the first half with a 21-yard reception and added a 12-yard gain on third-and-11. Although that drive ended with a punt, the Vikings were able to avoid sending the ball back to the Texans until only 34 seconds remained. Jefferson was targeted two times in the second half but didn't catch either of those.
Darnold stayed hot, however, placing the footballs to teammates, including a 4-yard touchdown to Nailor and a 2-yard toss to Johnny Mundt.
CBS broadcast cameras showed Jefferson flexing his hand on the sidelines. Asked about it, he explained that Texans cornerback Derek Stingley, Jr., jammed Jefferson's finger while trying to contest a catch.
"It was nothing serious," Jefferson said. "We got X-rays and stuff. Everything was perfectly fine, and I still, you know, played the rest of the game, so everything was all good."
While it's no surprise to see Jefferson moving up the leaderboard or setting a league record in any week, the comfortable win by the Vikings allowed he and other starters to take a little rest in the fourth quarter, which was a contrast for a team that's played so many one-possession games in his career.
"I haven't had one yet. Man, it feels great," Jefferson said. "Not playing a little bit in the fourth quarter because we're up, you know, that's something that I could get used to, for sure."
