Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson has 45 catches for 682 yards this season. He needs 318 yards over the next few weeks — an average of 106 yards per game — to maintain his streak of 1,000-yard seasons.

After missing a couple of months with a hamstring injury, Jefferson admitted the round number would be a nice consolation.

Not that it’s his main focus with the Vikings preparing for a big game against the Detroit Lions on Christmas Eve.

“I’m not going to let it affect my play,” Jefferson said. “I’m not going to be getting frustrated just because I don’t get the ball.”

Jefferson’s goal entering the season was to become the first player in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards in a single season. He was on a pretty good pace before his hamstring injury forced him to miss significant playing time. He readjusted his goal to 1,000 yards while adding that he’s more concerned with helping the Vikings win as many games as possible.

“There’s more to it than the individual stats,” he said. “It’s all about winning, making it to the playoffs, and of course, getting to the Super Bowl.”

It raises question: Wouldn’t him reaching 1,000 yards probably help the Vikings win games down the stretch?

“I would hope so,” Jefferson said. “I’m always going to try to do whatever I’ve got to do for this team.”

After returning to the field against the Las Vegas Raiders a couple of weeks ago, Jefferson almost immediately suffered a chest injury that necessitated a trip to the hospital for precautionary reasons. Fortunately, he was cleared to play against the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend, and he finished with 84 receiving yards.

Not surprisingly, Jefferson did not show any signs of rust, winning at every level of the field with relative ease.

“It comes naturally,” he said. “I feel like I made some great plays out there.”

If Jefferson wants a blueprint for success this weekend, he need look no further than the last time the Vikings played the Lions. He finished that game last season with 11 catches for 223 yards, his single-game high.

“It’s about carrying that same energy,” Jefferson said. “It’s not like we’re going to see something different than what we’re used to.”

A similar performance from Jefferson on Sunday would go a long way toward him reaching 1,000 yards for the season. It also would go a long way toward the Vikings making the playoffs.

“It felt great to get back out there,” he said. “Just got to keep stacking.”

Related Articles

Vikings have lengthy injury report ahead of Lions game

The mastermind behind the Tush Push? It might have been Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr.

Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens is a gunslinger. He knows he needs to play smarter.

The Loop Fantasy Football Report Week 16: Sidelined stars ruin many playoff dreams

After nearly losing his leg last month, Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks hopes to play this weekend