Minnesota Vikings veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr. has been out of action due to a hamstring injury. But Jones, who played his college ball at Texas-El Paso before some good years with the Green Bay Packers, was back on Thursday night.
Jones Sr. was back on the field as the Vikings trailed the Los Angeles Chargers 21-3 at halftime at SoFi Stadium. But his output wasn’t too good.
What’s Wrong With Vikings’ RB Aaron Jones Sr.?
At this point, Jones Sr. is not injured but he is trying to find his rhythm in the Vikings’ offensive plans.
So far in the first half, Jones Sr. has three carries for nine yards to go along with one catch for two yards. Jones Sr. hasn’t found the end zone yet. With his limited use, though, it’s possible that his hamstring injury might play a role in his lack of a burst of speed.
Jones arrived ahead of Thursday night’s kickoff wearing a sombrero, maybe offering his own salute to his time at UTEP.
#Vikings RB Aaron Jones Sr. arrives for Thursday Night Football. pic.twitter.com/CrDq8PPQyw
— Clayton Holloway (@HollowayNFLN) October 23, 2025
The Vikings were also dealing with starting quarterback Carson Wentz and his sore left shoulder, which he slightly injured late in the first half. With Jones Sr. in the backfield, though, Wentz, who was up and walking around on the Vikings’ sidelines, might look to get the back more carries as the game goes along.
According to the PFSN NFL Offense Impact metrics, the Vikings have a 71.8 Offense Impact Score and grade out with a C-. Minnesota needs to find an offensive rhythm to potentially get closer to the Chargers in the second half.
Jones Sr. was a fifth-round draft choice in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Packers. In limited action so far in the 2025 NFL season, Jones Sr. has 13 carries for 46 yards and no touchdowns. With Jones Sr. working his way back to health right now, maybe the Vikings are just looking to get him going on the field.
Entering halftime down by 18 points, Minnesota knows that it has a tough task to keep Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense in check. Jones Sr. needs to step up and help Wentz and the Minnesota offense out as much as possible. Vikings fans sure hope that Jones Sr. can play a pivotal role in the second half to secure a road victory.
