Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) carries the ball as New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (31) defends during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings extended their early-season win streak to five games in Week 5, defeating the New York Jets in London. The purple team then enjoyed a bye week and is now five days from taking on the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.
If the Vikings defeat the Lions, they’ll have a two-game lead in the division. A loss would share control with Detroit and possibly the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, at least per games won.
And with the pivotal matchup around the bend, all attention has shifted to two Vikings injuries.
Hockenson tore his ACL last December against the very Lions who enter U.S. Bank Stadium this weekend. The road to recovery has been long and will cause Hockenson to miss about half of the 2024 regular season when it’s all said and done.
Lions safety Kerby Joseph delivered the hit that injured Hockenson — two weeks before he scripted a similar hit that tore the ACL of Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee. Joseph has a modus operandi, evidently.
The Vikings opened Hockenson’s practice window a week and a half ago, giving the playmaker three weeks to rejoin the active roster. He must return this weekend against the Lions or four days after that on Thursday Night Football at the Los Angeles Rams.
A source tells VikingsTerritory that Hockenson will not play this Sunday, when the NFC North is up for grabs, and that Hockenson is in line to return four days later at Los Angeles. The source claims the Vikings are proceeding “ultra-cautiously” with Hockenson, and if the decision were solely up to him, he would’ve played by now.
It’s also said that there was no chance whatsoever that Hockenson would suit up in London before the bye, instead targeting Week 7 or Week 8 — with Week 8 as the clear return date as of October 14th.
The Hockenson return will be fantastic for Minnesota, especially because the offense hasn’t skipped a beat without the 27-year-old per wins and losses. Through five games, plus an undefeated record, the Vikings’ offense ranks 14th in the NFL per EPA/Play. Quarterback Sam Darnold has fully reclaimed his career, nearing the top of the NFL’s leaderboard in touchdown passes (11) and ranking ninth leaguewide per EPA+CPOE, an efficiency metric measuring expected wins added.
Jones’ injury isn’t as severe — or anything close — to Hockenson’s, hurting his hip in London nine days ago.
Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling tweeted Monday. “Aaron Jones is participating in the Vikings’ light practice as they return from their bye week. Good early sign for the running back after his hip injury in London. Didn’t see Blake Cashman or Harrison Phillips, though the Vikings can be cautious with a bit of a bonus day today.”
Furthermore, a source told VikingsTerritory that Jones “should be good to go” for Sunday’s game. Before the injury, Jones recorded 7 rushing attempts for 29 yards and 1 reception for 24 yards against New York. The offense wasn’t firing on all cylinders in London with Jones, but it assuredly died when he left the game. RB2 Ty Chandler entered the game, promptly fumbled, and didn’t do much thereafter.
Minnesota’s offense fell into a 2023-like trap sans Jones in London, unable to avoid 3 and Outs or achieve general efficiency. So, when the bye hit, folks wondered if Jones would heal in time or if the Vikings would pivot to Chandler for a game or two.
All signs point to Jones being available this weekend.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.