Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) runs the ball against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
T.J. Hockenson is on the way back — he’ll likely return for Thursday Night Football in 10 days — and Aaron Jones could be back even sooner.
That’s the update on Jones, who injured his hip eight days ago in a Minnesota Vikings win over the New York Jets in London. Minnesota enjoyed a bye in Week 6, enabling it to heal injuries and reset for a massive showdown this weekend at home versus the Detroit Lions.
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. The same source also indicated there’s almost no chance that Hockenson will play against Detroit, instead targeting Week 8 for the tight end’s return.
On the night of Jones’ hip injury, Pro Football Talk claimed the ailment wasn’t serious. “The veteran left Sunday’s 23-17 win over the Jets with a hip injury,” Mike Florio wrote Sunday, October 6th. “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.”
And head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Jones’ injury status six days ago, “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.
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, causing 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 week.
The Vikings (5-0) are early two-point favorites to defeat the Lions (4-1). The clubs have never met with records this good, with the closest example 54 years ago at Tigers Stadium when both teams had 5-1 records.
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.