Justin Jefferson Becomes Fastest Player to 5,000 Receiving Yards
Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson became the fastest player to reach 5,000 career receiving yards in NFL history on Thursday night.
Jefferson, who is in his third season, accomplished the feat in just 52 games. He passed Odell Beckham Jr., who reached 5,000 yards in 54 games.
Jefferson reached the milestone on a 4-yard reception late in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles. The catch put him at 5,002 yards.
He later had a 30-yard reception, but the ball was knocked out of his hand at the 1-yard line. Officials initially ruled that the ball had traveled out of bounds before crossing the goal line, but a review overturned the call.
Jefferson finished the game with 11 catches for 159 yards. He is now the second player in NFL history to reach 5,000 receiving yards before the age of 25, joining Randy Moss.
Justin Jefferson’s 4-yard reception did not help the Vikings in their loss to the Eagles
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson made a 4-yard reception in the second quarter of their game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. However, the play resulted in a touchback for the Eagles, who then drove 37 yards in just 34 seconds for a 61-yard field goal. The Eagles took a 13-7 halftime lead.
Jefferson was targeted on Minnesota’s first two offensive snaps of the game. He made a diving catch for a 15-yard gain on the first snap, and then a reception in traffic for a yard on the second snap.
Jefferson entered the game with 4,825 career receiving yards, the most by any player since 2020. He finished Minnesota’s Week 1 game with 150 yards, giving him 4,975 yards on the way into Week 2.