Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Aaron Jones is dealing with an injury.
The Minnesota Vikings running back exited Sunday’s win over the New York Jets due to a hip injury. The schedule favors the 29-year-old, as Minnesota is on a bye in Week 6, but what’s the long-term outlook for Jones and the rest of the Vikings backfield?
Will Aaron Rodgers Play in Week 6?
Jones posted 29 yards on seven carries before suffering his injury. With Jones sidelined, the Vikings leaned on third-year pro Ty Chandler, who finished with 30 yards and a fumble on 14 carries.
After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said he would keep his “fingers crossed” and hope that Jones’ injury would be a “short-term” issue.
On Monday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport provided an update on Jones’ status.
“Aaron Jones is going to have an MRI (on Monday) just to see what damage it did on that hip,” Rapoport said. “This doesn’t seem like a major injury on its face, though. Kevin O’Connell saying right after the game that he believed it would be short-term, and the schedule does them some favors, too.
” … There is a real chance — depending on the results of the MRI — that Aaron Jones could be back after the bye.”
From @GMFB: Updates on injuries to #Vikings RB Aaron Jones (hip), #Texans WR Nico Collins (hamstring) and #Dolphins RB De’Von Achane (concussion). pic.twitter.com/DBCzNCQWs7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
Well, the tone changed on Tuesday when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Vikings now consider Jones “week-to-week.”
We’ll learn more about Jones’ status as the week progresses. However, while the star running back appears to have avoided a serious injury, there’s a chance he won’t be available when the Vikings host the Detroit Lions in Week 7.
Now let’s look at the potential fantasy impact of Jones’ hip issue.
Fantasy Implications of Jones’ Injury
Chandler would be the clear beneficiary if Jones is forced to miss extended time.
A fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Chandler burst onto the scene last season when he averaged 53.4 rushing yards and 16.6 receiving yards over the final seven contests. His emergence made the offseason acquisition of Jones somewhat surprising.
But it was a different story for Chandler in the first five weeks of this season. He posted 10 rushes for 82 yards in Week 4 but combined for 65 yards on 32 carries in the other four contests.
Chandler has split carries with Jones, so he likely would post better numbers with his veteran counterpart on the bench. And the Vikings offense is built to prop up a dual-threat running back.
Chandler would become a solid Flex option — but nothing more — if Jones misses time.
