Aaron Jones Sr. Fantasy Stats

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. has seen his rushing opportunities decline sharply over the past two games. Jones rushed 45 times for 207 yards in Weeks 4 and 5 but has managed just 13 carries for 48 yards since Minnesota's bye. He aggravated a knee injury in Week 7 and missed Wednesday's practice ahead of Week 8 before returning to full participation Friday. Jones then rushed five times for 22 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards against Detroit. Jordan Mason has outcarried Jones in both games since returning, adding uncertainty to the backfield rotation. RotoBaller ranks Jones RB29 for Week 9 against Buffalo, ahead of Mason at RB34. Jones remains a flex option, but his recent injury and reduced workload raise concerns about his fantasy upside.

Running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) does not carry an injury designation for the Minnesota Vikings' Week 8 visit to Detroit, giving him some RB3/Flex appeal despite the lingering ailment. The Lions' primary struggles on defense have come against the pass, which plays into the veteran running back's skill set, though it's tough to predict how many snaps he'll be afforded after reaggravating his injury last week. Now that fellow running back Jordan Mason is back, the Vikings are looking at a split that likely will favor Mason on clear rushing downs and Jones in passing situations. Jones practiced on Thursday and Friday, so he's set to play against the Lions, but volume could be an issue. As RotoBaller's No. 28 running back this week, Jones is playable in standard formats, but managers should consider the whole picture before setting their lineups.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) has been removed from the final Week 8 injury report on Friday and is good to go for Sunday's divisional clash against the Detroit Lions, according to Vikings beat reporter Will Ragatz. Jones aggravated a lingering knee injury in the Week 7 win over the Indianapolis Colts last weekend, but the 31-year-old veteran is good to go as the Vikings look to remain undefeated. His fantasy value has taken a major hit with Jordan Mason returning from Injured Reserve last week, though, as he had a season-low eight rushing attempts for 26 yards last Sunday after he had a season-high 25 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown in the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints before the bye week. The Vikings have not been shy about the fact that they plan on being smart about Jones' workload going forward now that Mason is back in the fold in their backfield. In the second game with Mason back, Jones should be viewed as a touchdown-dependent, low-upside RB3/flex in fantasy football lineups in Motown.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) returned to practice on Thursday and was listed as a limited participant. Jones was a non-participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, but his return to a limited session on Thursday puts him on track to potentially be active for the Vikings this weekend for their divisional tilt on Sunday on the road against the Detroit Lions as they look to stay undefeated. The 31-year-old took on a heavy workload in previous weeks with fellow RB Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve, and he departed the Week 7 win over the Indianapolis Colts after aggravating a knee injury. Mason also made his return from IR last Sunday, which limited Jones to a season-low eight carries for 26 yards and one reception for no gain. If Jones' knee injury does not prevent him from playing against Detroit, he will be a low-upside RB3/flex, at best, while battling a knee injury and limited playing time alongside Mason. Jones is averaging 4.2 yards per carry for 436 rushing yards and two rushing scores on 105 carries through six games, but the Vikings have made it clear that they want to take it easy on the veteran now that Mason is back.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Jones is considered day-to-day after aggravating a pre-existing knee injury. The 31-year-old veteran's injury is not believed to be serious, but it puts his availability in question for the upcoming Week 8 matchup on the road against the division-rival Detroit Lions. Jones was effective as the Vikings' bell-cow back early in the year with Jordan Mason on Injured Reserve due to a thumb injury, but with Mason returning in last week's victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Jones' role took a sharp drop, as he handled a season-low eight rushing attempts for 26 yards and caught his only target in the passing game for no gain. It came after he had a season-high 25 carries for 113 yards and a score in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints. If both Jones and Mason are healthy, Jones is going to operate in a backfield timeshare, which will make him a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex option. Fantasy managers should be preparing for the possibility of being without Jones this weekend in Motown.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) is considered day-to-day after aggravating his existing knee injury during Sunday's 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and the injury is not believed to be significant, which is encouraging news after he exited in the fourth quarter and did not return. The veteran has been playing through a sprained left MCL since Week 2 and finished Sunday's contest with eight carries for 26 yards and one reception for no gain. Jordan Mason, returning from a four-game absence, handled 15 carries for 68 yards and gives Minnesota another established backfield option heading into Week 8 against the Detroit Lions. Even if Jones is available, Mason's immediate involvement suggests the Vikings could return to a more balanced workload after relying heavily on Jones during Mason's absence.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) injured the same knee that has troubled him all season during Sunday's 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell, as reported by Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune, which could hand Jordan Mason an even larger role if the veteran cannot play against the Detroit Lions in Week 8. Jones has been playing through a sprained left MCL since Week 2 and previously experienced setbacks against the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. The 31-year-old exited following a 17-yard run in the fourth quarter and did not return, finishing with eight carries for 26 yards and one reception for zero yards. Mason (thumb), making his first appearance since Week 1, led Minnesota with 15 carries for 68 yards and had assumed a substantial portion of the workload before Jones departed. The severity of Jones' latest injury remains unclear.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) is questionable to return in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported via the X platform. Jones, who has been dealing with an MCL injury, went to the blue medical tent after being hit on a 17-yard run in Sunday's game. Jordan Mason, who was questionable to play due to a thumb injury but is active, will assume Jones' duties in the interim. Jones had eight carries for 26 yards before exiting the game. Rookie Demond Claiborne was a healthy scratch for this game, so if Jones cannot return in the second half, DeeJay Dallas would serve as Minnesota's RB2 behind Mason.

With Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) questionable but trending toward returning on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, fellow ball-carrier Aaron Jones Sr. is likely to see a reduction in volume from his starring role over the past month. For the Vikings and Jones' longevity, Mason's return is great news. For managers who enjoyed the veteran's stretch of workhorse-like volume, the Vikings' split backfield isn't nearly as appealing. Still, the Colts' defense presents a good enough matchup that the veteran back is in consideration for most formats. The Colts rank 27th against half-PPR running backs, have allowed nearly 5 yards per rush, and surrender points on 47% of opposing teams' drives. While the brief days of Jones earning 20 carries are likely gone, this matchup and his continued value in the passing game give him RB3/Flex value. He's RotoBaller's 25th-ranked running back this week.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. has averaged more than 21 carries over his last four games, a workload born out of Jordan Mason's (thumb) absence. Minnesota originally planned to rotate the two, and their Week 1 split reflected that approach: Mason carried 15 times for 59 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, while Jones rushed 12 times for 40 yards and a score. Jones then logged 23, 17, 20, and 25 attempts from Weeks 2-5, closing that stretch with 113 yards and a touchdown at New Orleans. Mason practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Sunday's game against Indianapolis, with his return from injured reserve still awaiting activation. Jones also revealed this week that he has played through a sprained MCL in his left knee since Week 2. He recorded 34 receiving yards in both Weeks 3 and 4, giving him a continuing role in the passing game. A restored rotation would leave Jones closer to flex territory in PPR formats after four games as Minnesota's featured back.