Vikings Press the Green Button on Veteran Playmaker
Four games have elapsed after an injured reserve stint, and Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones is ready to return to the team’s offense.
Approaching Thursday Night Football, the Vikings made a move to activate a playmaker from injured reserve who could help jolt the Chargers.
Minnesota opened Jones’ practice window this week, now having 21 days to formally add him to the 53-man roster. Jones could play as early as Thursday night at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Vikings Welcome Back Aaron Jones
Jones had been on the shelf with a bad hamstring.
Practice Window Opened for Aaron Jones
Jones is on his way back; it’s official.
Star Tribune‘s Andrew Krammer wrote Tuesday, “The Vikings offense returned a team captain at Tuesday’s practice. Running back Aaron Jones’ three-week practice window has officially started while on injured reserve. He’s eligible to play on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers if he’s cleared by the medical and coaching staff while recovering from a hamstring injury. His practice reps were limited on Tuesday.”
Like all IR returns, the Vikings have three weeks to toss Jones back into the lineup, and most expect that to happen this Thursday.
Limited on Tuesday
Of course, Jones was not a full participant in Tuesday’s short-week practice. Minnesota listed him as limited, which is fairly standard for a player hopping off injured reserve.
Jones has a history of hamstring issues, including a minor ailment last year, though he missed no games, so no one was too surprised when a) he got hurt in the first place b) was limited to start Week 8.
Quarterbacks Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy were also limited at practice to start the week, even if head coach Kevin O’Connell announced Wentz as the starter against the Chargers.
An Offense That Needs Him
The Vikings’ offense need an injection — of something.
The aforementioned Wentz has already displayed a permanent tendency to make gaffes on the football field, and his follies have ruined Minnesota’s efficiency in the redzone. Minnesota travelled inside the Philadelphia Eagles‘ 20-yard line six times last weekend and left with one touchdown.
That won’t cut it.
Therefore, welcoming a bonafide playmaker like Jones back to the offense can only mean good news. Jones’ teammate, Jordan Mason, might have snagged the official RB1 job in Jones’ absence, but Jones will still be showcased in crucial game spots.
Minnesota’s rushing offense ranks 26th in the NFL right now per EPA/Play. Driving that ranking higher — Jones can help — is obviously ideal.
Official Verdict on Thursday
Wednesday’s injury report will uplift either a limited or full practice designation. A full practice would be interpreted as a smoking gun for his game-readiness at Los Angeles. Limited will take the mystery into Thursday afternoon.
Jones’ status isn’t formally known at the time of this article’s publication, but it’s a safe bet to assume he will be back for Thursday Night Football. A source told VikingsTerritory last week that Jones was “good to go.”
SI.com on the Fantasy Angle
Ethen Hutton noted this week on Jones’ return from a fantasy football standpoint, “Jones broke out in Minnesota’s season opener, racking up 15.7 fantasy points among PPR leagues. His RB12 finish offered encouraging production for Jones’ fantasy owners, who will anticipate his Week 8 return.”
“Entering the new week, Mason projects to sustain his lead role in Minnesota’s backfield as Jones works his way back into the offense. Jones will likely remain limited on the ground, but could take over the backfield’s pass-catching volume. During Jones’ absence, Mason has managed four consecutive games with double-digit fantasy output in PPR, including a 23.6-point finish in Week 3.”
Jones will turn 31 in December.
“According to FantasyPros’ data, he is expected to sustain such production, as he is projected to record 12.4 points versus the Chargers in Week 8. The complementary tandem of Jones and Mason will elevate Minnesota’s offense. Mason enters Thursday night’s game as the NFL’s 20th-leading rusher with 380 yards on 84 carries with four touchdowns,” Hutton continued.
“His volume and production makes him a strong start candidate this week. In the passing game, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison remain must-start options despite another absence from McCarthy. The 3-3 Vikings will look to build momentum as the halfway point of the season approaches.”
Jones has logged just 44 rushing yards against the Chargers in two career games as a member of the Green Bay Packers.
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