Minnesota’s backfield continues operating without their veteran ball carrier as they navigate the middle portion of the season. Aaron Jones Sr. has been sidelined on injured reserve following a hamstring problem that occurred in early September. For fantasy football managers who selected the seasoned running back, where does his recovery timeline currently stand?
Aaron Jones Sr. Injury Update
The hamstring problem developed during Minnesota’s second-quarter collapse against Atlanta in Week 2. The severity of the injury prompted the Vikings to place Jones on the reserve list on September 17, guaranteeing his absence for a minimum of four contests.
Reports suggest Jones is preparing for a comeback when he first becomes eligible in Week 8. NFL injured reserve regulations require players to sit out four full games rather than four calendar weeks. Jones has already been unavailable for three contests and must remain sidelined for one additional game.
Minnesota’s Week 6 bye provides extra rehabilitation time for the veteran back. However, the bye doesn’t contribute to his mandatory four-game absence. This means Jones cannot suit up in Week 7 despite four weeks passing since his IR placement.
October 23 represents his earliest potential return date when Minnesota travels to face the Chargers on Thursday night. This extended timeline allows Jones over a month to address the hamstring problem completely.
The 30-year-old has battled recurring hamstring troubles throughout his professional career, explaining Minnesota’s conservative rehabilitation approach. The organization seems determined to have him at full strength before clearing him for game action.
Jones is approaching the age where running backs typically decline, and his recent injury history supports this trend. Various ailments limited him to 11 appearances in 2023 while with Green Bay, ultimately leading to his departure from Wisconsin.
Before the injury struck, Jones managed only 46 rushing yards on 13 attempts through two games. His pass-catching provided more value with three receptions totaling 44 yards and one touchdown, highlighted by a 27-yard scoring grab in the opener.
Fantasy managers should anticipate Jones remaining unavailable through Week 7, with Week 8 marking his probable return to action.
Jones Fantasy Outlook
Throughout Jones’ extended absence, Jordan Mason has transformed into Minnesota’s featured ball carrier and proven himself as a weekly fantasy starter. Mason has commanded the majority of touches and demonstrated his ability to shoulder a heavy workload across the first five weeks.
Mason’s Week 5 performance against Cleveland showcased his consistency with 19 rushing attempts for 85 yards plus three receptions for four additional yards. His reliable production has established him as a dependable RB2 option for fantasy purposes.
Even prior to Jones’ injury, Mason was outproducing the veteran in key areas. Through the first two games, Mason accumulated 27 total touches compared to Jones’ 16, while maintaining better efficiency at 4.7 yards per carry versus Jones’ 3.5 average.
Upon Jones’ Week 8 return, he’ll likely reclaim his specialized role on passing downs. His superior receiving skills and route-running provide advantages over Mason in third-down packages and hurry-up situations.
Nevertheless, Mason’s impressive showing during this stretch suggests he’ll retain most early-down and red-zone opportunities. Minnesota has witnessed Mason’s capabilities as their primary option, validating his ability to handle substantial responsibility.
Jones should maintain fantasy relevance through his receiving contributions and some early down work, though his overall workload will probably decrease from preseason projections. Fantasy managers should prepare for a divided backfield rather than Jones resuming workhorse duties.
Zavier Scott, elevated as the backup throughout Jones’ recovery, will likely revert to special teams duties once the veteran returns. Jones’ activation will restore Scott to his previous depth chart position.
This new arrangement should still offer Jones sufficient opportunities for fantasy production, especially in PPR formats where his pass-catching creates a stable foundation. However, Mason’s continued involvement will likely limit Jones’ weekly ceiling potential.
