Less than three minutes into Sunday's Week 3 game against the Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson caught a pass in the end zone to put his team up by seven points.
For Jefferson, he's now caught a touchdown in each of the Vikings' first three games of the season for the first time in his NFL career.
Cashed in early.@JJettas2
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 22, 2024
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/bMjR0BC1UZ
Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson not held back by injury in Week 3 vs. Houston Texans
After Jefferson was forced to leave last week's game against the San Francisco 49ers early with a quad contusion, some were wondering how he would perform in the matchup with the Texans on Sunday.
Well, after Minnesota's first drive of the contest, it's safe to say he was feeling just fine. Jefferson caught two passes on the Vikings' opening drive, one for nine yards, and then his six-yard touchdown reception.
With the catch, Jefferson is now tied for the NFL lead in touchdown receptions with New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard. Jefferson has never led the league in touchdown catches for an entire season, and the last Vikings receiver to do it was Randy Moss in 2003 when he hauled in 17 passes in the end zone.
Jefferson's touchdown catch in Minnesota's opening drive on Sunday took place a few plays after the team's defense made an impressive play when Vikings linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill intercepted a pass thrown by Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud.
The turnover gave Minnesota excellent field position on the Texans' 21-yard line, and a few plays later, Jefferson was celebrating in the end zone.