The Minnesota Vikings have been on a rollercoaster ride this season with Carson Wentz leading the offense, entering the bye week at 3-2. One key missing piece from their recent success has been veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr., who’s been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2.
Jones missed Minnesota’s win over the Cleveland Browns, leaving fans eager to know when he’ll be back in the lineup. So, here’s the latest on his recovery.
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, guaranteeing his absence for a minimum of four contests.
Reports indicate that Jones is targeting a return when he first becomes eligible in Week 8. Under NFL injured reserve rules, players must miss four full games rather than four calendar weeks. Jones has already sat out three contests and will be sidelined for one more before being eligible to return.
Minnesota’s Week 6 bye provides a valuable window for additional rehab and conditioning, but it doesn’t count toward his required absence. That means Jones will also miss Week 7, even though more than a month will have passed since he was placed on IR.
The veteran’s earliest possible return is October 23, when the Vikings visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. That extended timeline gives Jones ample time to fully recover and reduce the risk of aggravating his hamstring, an issue that has plagued him multiple times throughout his career.
Minnesota’s training staff appears intent on prioritizing long-term health over short-term production, a wise move given Jones’ importance to their offensive balance. In his absence, Jordan Mason has stepped up for the Vikings, recording 323 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 69 carries. He is ranked 13th in PFSN’s RB Impact metric heading into Week 6.
Before the setback, Jones logged 46 rushing yards on 13 carries across two games, but his biggest impact came as a receiver, catching three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 27-yard score in the opener. Despite the slow start statistically, his 2024 breakout campaign with Minnesota showed he still has plenty of juice left when healthy.
For fantasy managers, expect Jones to remain out through Week 7, with Week 8 his most likely return. Holding onto him could pay off once he’s back in a full-time role.