It’s been a while since Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones has seen on-field action. Following a severe injury at the start of the season, the back has been on the sideline, aiming for a midseason return.
With Week 8 action drawing near, let’s dive into Jones’s injury status and latest updates.
Aaron Jones Is Part of a Beat-Up Vikings Backfield
Jones had a quiet Week 2 versus the Atlanta Falcons, rushing for 23 yards in a 22-6 loss. However, the game turned out even worse for the running back, as he went down with a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter. Jones never returned, and Jordan Mason picked up the slack.
The injury was worse than expected, and the veteran back was placed on IR on September 17. Mason fully took on the lead-back role, with Zavier Scott adding backfield depth.
This week marked Jones’s first practice since Week 2, with head coach Kevin O’Connell saying that the running back was designated to return from IR. However, Wednesday’s injury report will likely deliver the final verdict on whether Jones will play this week. Otherwise, he could return anytime within the next three weeks (per NFL.com).
Former 49ers running back Mason has been making the most of his time at the wheel of Minnesota’s backfield. While he already booked solid numbers with Jones healthy, he boosted his averages since Jones went down. He has consistently rushed for over 50 yards, including a 116-yarder against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Once Jones returns, it is expected that the two backs would split touches out of the backfield.
Beyond the two leading backs, Scott has also chipped in with conservative numbers, which included a 30-yard rushing game against Cincinnati and a receiving touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his place in the running back room isn’t secure.
Minnesota also has kick returner Ty Chandler on the roster, but he sustained a knee injury against the Chicago Bears in their season opener.
Coach O’Connell hopes to have all the firepower possible available for their primetime Week 8 showdown in LA, when they visit Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers. Given LA’s loaded offense, O’Connell and company will look to match LA’s fire in a game that could get out of hand.
However, the Chargers are dealing with backfield issues of their own. The two backs atop the depth chart, Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton, are out with injuries, and 4th-string running back Kimani Vidal is set to lead the run game.
