Aaron Jones Sr. posted career-high rushing numbers in his first season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and got off to a strong start in 2025, finding the end zone in Week 1’s victory over the Chicago Bears.
However, Jones was forced to leave the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons with a hamstring injury and will miss Sunday’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Here’s a closer look at his injury and the expected recovery timeline.
When Will Aaron Jones Sr. Be Back?
Jones looked sharp in Minnesota’s season opener against the Bears, recording 23 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown. He appeared set to be a key weapon again in Week 2, but suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter against the Falcons and didn’t return, finishing with 23 rushing yards on five carries.
Hamstring injuries, even minor strains, are not something to rush, especially for a 30-year-old running back like Jones. As a result, the Vikings decided to give him proper time to heal by placing him on injured reserve on September 17.
Another reason behind the Vikings’ cautious approach is Jones’ extensive injury history. He has previously faced MCL injuries, hamstring issues, knee sprains, and calf strains, further worrying fans about the chances of his speedy recovery.
Despite this, the expectation is that he won’t miss more than four weeks, making a potential return around Week 9.
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 career year in 2024, recording 1,138 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while adding 408 receiving yards and two scores.
To help manage his workload, Minnesota acquired Jordan Mason this offseason from the San Francisco 49ers. With Jones sidelined, Mason stepped into the starting role in Week 3 against the Bengals and quickly made his case for a full-time role with a massive performance that ranked fourth among all running backs.
He rushed for 116 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns against the struggling Bengals, as Minnesota pulled away for the win. That performance, along with his strong 2024 showings, should draw significant attention from fantasy managers this week.
While the Vikings are unlikely to dominate as easily in upcoming games and will face stiffer defenses, Mason is poised to be a reliable starter until Jones returns. Heading into Week 5, Mason is ranked as the seventh-best running back in the league based on PFSN’s RB Impact metric.
