Vikings Unload Injury News on the Joneses
Two of the Minnesota Vikings Joneses are trending in the right direction.
Vikings Unload Injury News on the Joneses
The purple team downed the Green Bay Packers 27-25 on Sunday afternoon, and the only real downside to the dub involved injuries to running back Aaron Jones and outside linebacker Patrick Jones II.
Minnesota travels to Detroit for the ultimate regular season showdown with the Lions this Sunday night. The winner will seize the NFC’s No. 1 seed in the postseason + host every eligible game at its stadium, while the loser drops to the fifth seed and hits the road for the postseason, probably traveling to Tampa Bay, Atlanta, or Los Angeles.
And here’s where the Joneses stand entering Week 18.
Aaron Jones
The running back Jones is on track to play this weekend. The former Green Bay Packer suffered a quad contusion that “should not keep him from participating this week,” O’Connell said the day after Minnesota toppled Green Bay.
Jones notably missed the game’s final drive when the Vikings iced the Packers for good. Instead, RB2 Cam Akers took the field and sealed the deal with a 1st Down reception that ended the game. The veteran tailback also scored a touchdown on Sunday evening, further proof that Minnesota’s October trade for Akers netted dividends.
Akers could also receive an increased workload against the Lions if Jones isn’t 100%.
Jones has banked 1,478 yards from scrimmage this season, his first as a Viking, along with 7 touchdowns. At this time last year, he got extraordinarily hot in Green Bay, and Vikings faithful will hope the 30-year-old follows suit in 2024.
And all indications are that Jones will be good to go this weekend.
Patrick Jones II
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis tweeted Monday, “Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said MIN got ‘really positive’ news on Pat Jones II. KOC said he’ll have the chance to get ready for Sunday night against the Lions.”
Jones II has logged 24 quarterback pressures in 2024 and 7 sacks. He’s one of Minnesota’s somewhat unforeseen contributors this year, his fourth season with the Vikings. In fact, Jones II and his counterparts, Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, have played “too well” that rookie EDGE Dallas Turner has experienced less defensive action.
Versus Green Bay, Jones II was the victim of this dirty hit:
If Jones doesn’t play this Sunday, encountering a setback during practice this week, Minnesota would presumably hand the baton to the aforementioned Turner. The 21-year-old has notched 2 sacks and an interception in the last three games and appears to have hit his groove with a little bit of playing time.
Detroit is forecasted to beat Minnesota by two or three points.
Former Viking Signs with the Champs
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.
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