Aaron Jones Sr. has been a key playmaker for the Minnesota Vikings since signing with the team ahead of the 2024 season. He found the end zone in their Week 1 victory over the Chicago Bears, but was forced to exit Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with an injury.
With questions and concerns now rising about his health, here’s everything to know about the veteran running back’s status.
Aaron Jones Sr. Injury Update: Latest on the Veteran Running Back’s Status
Jones Sr. looked sharp in Minnesota’s season opener against the Bears, finishing with 23 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards, and a touchdown. He looked to be a key weapon again for the Vikings in Week 2, but suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter against the Falcons and did not return for the second half.
On Tuesday, the Vikings officially placed Jones on the injured reserve. He will at least miss the next four games, and could be out further.
The #Vikings are placing starting RB Aaron Jones on injured reserve, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Jones was ruled out of Sunday’s game because of a hamstring injury. Now he’s out for at least four more games. pic.twitter.com/61pxXlrrui
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 16, 2025
Here are the Vikings’ next four games:
- Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 4: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 5: vs. Cleveland Browns
- Week 6: BYE
- Week 7: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Hamstring injuries, even minor strains, are not something to rush, especially with Jones being 30 years old. As a result, the Vikings will not rush Jones back and allow him enough time to heal.
Jones signed with the Vikings ahead of the 2024 season after seven years with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He had a strong 2024 campaign, recording 1,138 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while adding 408 receiving yards and two scores.
AARON JONES LEAPT INTO THE STANDS AFTER HIS 50TH CAREER RUSH TD 💪 pic.twitter.com/CECRe0VRit
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 17, 2024
To help manage his workload, Minnesota signed Jordan Mason this offseason. With Jones sidelined, Mason will be the team’s lead back while he recovers. The two had been splitting carries early in the season, with Jones receiving eight in Week 1 and Mason 15.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings just re-signed Cam Akers for depth.
With Aaron Jones suffering a hamstring injury, free-agent RB Cam Akers is expected to re-sign with the Vikings.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2025
While Jones is no longer the every-down back he once was, he remains a reliable option and a dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield, so his absence will be noticeable in the upcoming game against the Bengals on September 21.
Injuries have been an ongoing concern for Jones throughout his career. In his nine NFL seasons, he has played every game only three times. He did so in 2019 and 2022 with the Packers and last season with the Vikings.
