Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) carries the ball as New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) pursues during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images.
He’s week to week.
That’s the update on Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, who injured his hip during Sunday’s London win over the New York Jets. Jones was cooking — per usual — in Week 5 but got tackled and hurt midway through the 23-17 triumph.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Jones’ injury status on Tuesday, “He continues to be evaluated, but all the early information we’ve got so far, it looks like we’ve avoided a long-term injury. I’d classify him week to week at this point.”
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.
O’Connell’s words also mirror an update from Pro Football Talk on Sunday evening. “The veteran left Sunday’s 23-17 win over the Jets with a hip injury,” Mike Florio wrote late Sunday. “Initially, he was questionable to return. Then, he was ruled out. Initial word is that, by the time the Vikings return to action after their Week 6 bye, Jones should be good to go. They need him.”
The young skipper also stated he has “a lot of confidence” in Chandler, a runner who thrived down the stretch of the 2023 season but reverted to his RB2 role this offseason when Minnesota signed Jones to a one-year deal.
In 2022 and 2023, O’Connell’s offense never fully took off, as the ground game always lagged behind the passing game. And to compensate for the struggles, O’Connell would ask his quarterback to rear back and throw about 70% of the time.
However, with Jones at RB1 for 4.3 games in 2024, the offense had ascended to new heights, enabling the Vikings to run more than it had at any time since the 2021 campaign. Jones makes the offense balanced.
Thankfully, Jones’ injury arrived at the “perfect” time with the bye underway. Minnesota should also receive tight end T.J. Hockenson back in the lineup in Week 7 or Week 8, so perhaps his addition could mitigate any would-be Jones absence.
If Jones’ absence persisted or he encountered a different injury, these free-agent RB options are available on the open market:
Too, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could explore a trade for a player like Miles Sanders of the Carolina Panthers.
Minnesota will host the Detroit Lions in 12 days and, with or without Jones, is expected to lose by three points.
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 Vikings 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.