Injured Vikings Playmaker to Return in 6 Days
Slowly but surely, the Minnesota Vikings are recovering from a ridiculous onslaught of injuries that ravaged the season’s first five games, and almost quietly, running back Aaron Jones will return for Week 8, a matchup against the Chargers in Los Angeles.
While the Vikings’ injured players have used the bye week to heal, one under-the-radar storyline involves a veteran who will be back in Week 8.
Jones is eligible to hop off injured reserve after Week 7, and a source tells VikingsTerritory that he is good to go.
Vikings RB Aaron Jones to Return for TNF
And, yes, that event is just six days away.
Source: Aaron Jones Is Healthy
This was the last update from ESPN on Jones from September 16th: “The Minnesota Vikings placed running back Aaron Jones on injured reserve Tuesday because of a hamstring injury, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Jones is now out a minimum of four games, meaning offseason free agent acquisition Jordan Mason will see the bulk of the carries in his absence.”
“Jones, 30, hurt his hamstring in Sunday’s 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, when he was held to 23 yards on five carries. That came after a five-carry, 23-yard effort in Minnesota’s Week 1 win against the Chicago Bears.”
The mandated four-game IR absence will expire after completing this weekend’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, placing Jones in line for a Thursday, October 23rd, return at the Chargers.
The source told VikingsTerritory that Jones “is 100% ready to go” right now and that “he could have played this weekend but is on IR.”
So, in all likelihood, Minnesota will activate Jones on Monday, and that’ll be that.
Returning to a 4-2 or 3-3 Team
Minnesota eked out a dub in London over the Cleveland Browns, which was viewed as a season-saving achievement because the schedule turns tough from here on out. Needing a lift for an offense that hasn’t totally hit a groove through five games, Jones will be welcomed with open arms.
Depending on the outcome of Vikings-Eagles this weekend, Jones will return to a Minnesota team hot off the momentum of downing the world champions — or one hoping to beat a good Chargers team on the road in a short week so that a losing record doesn’t follow it into Week 9 at the Detroit Lions.
Jones will only make the offense better in Tinseltown.
New Workload?
On the other hand, Jones may not regain his RB1 job. Jordan Mason has taken the reins of that job and made them his own. Outside of a naugthy fumble in London, Mason has displayed the chops for the role of primary running back, and he’s about four years younger than Jones.
Based on age and productivity, all signs point to now as Mason’s time for RB1, with Jones filling the role of a high-functioning RB2. The snap count could bend something in the direction of 60% snaps to Mason and 40% to Jones.
The split may even reach closer to 65-35. Stay tuned.
Someone Will Be the Odd Man Out
There are the Vikings’ running backs with Jones’s return imminent:
- Jordan Mason
- Aaron Jones (IR)
- Zavier Scott
- Cam Akers (Practice Squad)
- Ty Chandler (IR)
- Corey Kiner (Practice Squad)
Minnesota also has C.J. Ham at fullback, which is sometimes viewed as a running back roster spot. Between Scott and Akers, one man may be on the chopping block.
And analyzing the skill sets of Scott and Akers, that will be a tricky decision for head coach Kevin O’Connell. There’s a world where Minnesota keeps six running backs and fullbacks on the 53-man roster, including Ham, but that’s just a bit weird.
The Fantasy Football Angle
Pro Football Network‘s Zahid Rashid on Jones’ fantasy outlook henceforth: “This will be the final week Jones is required to miss, as he becomes eligible to return in Week 8 when Minnesota travels to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. Reports suggest Jones is targeting this return date and appears on track to be activated when first eligible.”
“The extended absence has allowed Jones over a month to fully address the hamstring issue. Minnesota’s conservative rehabilitation approach is consistent with the organization’s handling of his injury history, which includes recurring hamstring problems, MCL injuries, knee sprains, and calf strains.”
Jones racked up 1,546 yards from scrimmage in 2024, the second-most of his career.
“Before his injury, Jones had rushed for 46 yards on 13 attempts through two games. His receiving work has been more productive, with three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown, including a 27-yard scoring grab in Week 1. In his absence, Jordan Mason has stepped up effectively, carrying 69 times for 323 yards and three touchdowns, ranking 12th in PFSN’s RB Impact metric,” Rashid continued.
“Given Mason’s strong performance, the Vikings have little reason to rush Jones back, allowing the team to continue prioritizing a full recovery for their star running back.”
Circle Thursday Night Football for Jones, barring a setback. It’s happening.
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