The Minnesota Vikings will face the Chicago Bears in Week 12. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding RB Aaron Jones.
Is Aaron Jones Playing in Week 12?
Aaron Jones (ribs) is fully practicing this week. The veteran running back is recovering from the rib issue he suffered after taking a hard shot in the fourth quarter of the Vikings’ Week 10 win over the Jaguars.
Jones started last week’s practices with two limited sessions but hasn’t required that level of maintenance at all this week. He’s good to go for Week 12.
We’ll continue to monitor the Vikings’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Aaron Jones in Week 12?
It took some time, but the preseason fades of Aaron Jones seem to be coming to fruition. The veteran back has now gone four straight games without a 15-yard rush or a score on the ground (72 attempts), fueling production that sits 32.2% below expectation over that stretch.
Jones had a chance to score last week but couldn’t cash in from the 1-yard line, a drive Sam Darnold ultimately finished with a sneak.
This could be viewed as a get-right spot, as the Bears allow the fifth-most yards per carry to opposing running backs this season (4.9). Plus, the Vikings figure to be playing with a lead, which I don’t disagree with.
Minnesota does, however, continue to flirt with Cam Akers (he handled an entire first-half drive last week and scored in the third quarter). And with this offense more grounded of late (19 points per game over their past four), any semblance of a committee situation could render all involved useless.
With six teams on a bye this week, Jones grades as an RB2 for me this week and is a viable starter. However, I’d be nervous for the stretch run if I’m counting on him consistently (not a top-25 RB in three of his past four games), even with a reasonably light schedule ahead.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 12 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Aaron Jones’ Fantasy Points Projection in Week 12
As of early Sunday morning, Jones is projected to score 14.8 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 16.9 rushing attempts for 82.9 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. It also includes 1.3 receptions for 18.7 yards and 0.2 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Aaron Jones’ Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 9:15 AM ET on Saturday, January 18. If you're in a Superflex league, make sure you check out our Divisional Round Superflex Rankings.
Divisional Round RB PPR Rankings
1) Saquon Barkley | PHI (vs. LAR)
2) Derrick Henry | BAL (at BUF)
3) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET (vs. WAS)
4) Kyren Williams | LAR (at PHI)
5) James Cook | BUF (vs. BAL)
6) Joe Mixon | HOU (at KC)
7) David Montgomery | DET (vs. WAS)
8) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS (at DET)
9) Austin Ekeler | WAS (at DET)
10) Isiah Pacheco | KC (vs. HOU)
11) Kareem Hunt | KC (vs. HOU)
12) Justice Hill | BAL (at BUF)
13) Ty Johnson | BUF (vs. BAL)
14) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (vs. LAR)
15) Samaje Perine | KC (vs. HOU)
16) Craig Reynolds | DET (vs. WAS)
17) Dare Ogunbowale | HOU (at KC)
18) Ronnie Rivers | LAR (at PHI)
19) Keaton Mitchell | BAL (at BUF)
20) Dameon Pierce | HOU (at KC)
21) Jeremy McNichols | WAS (at DET)
22) Patrick Ricard | BAL (at BUF)
23) Carson Steele | KC (vs. HOU)
24) Reggie Gilliam | BUF (vs. BAL)
25) Sione Vaki | DET (vs. WAS)
