Vikings RB Aaron Jones sits out Wednesday practice with knee injury
The short version
- Aaron Jones will miss Wednesday's practice with a knee injury ahead of Sunday's game at Tampa Bay.
- Jordan Mason is out through the Week 6 bye after a thumb procedure.
- Jones ran 23 times for 105 yards in the Week 3 win over the Bears.
- DeeJay Dallas and Demond Claiborne would be next in line if Jones sits.
- Punter Brett Thorson (hamstring) will also miss practice Wednesday.
Jones, who carried 23 times against the Bears, is uncertain for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers as Jordan Mason remains sidelined.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said running back Aaron Jones will not take part in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday because of a knee issue, leaving his status for Sunday's road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers uncertain.
The Vikings are already thin at the position. Jordan Mason is expected to miss time through the Week 6 bye after having a procedure on his thumb, which left Jones to carry the load in Sunday's win over the Bears.
Jones rushed 23 times for 105 yards in Chicago, his heaviest workload since November 2022, when he was with the Packers. He hurt the knee in the fourth quarter, briefly wore a brace, and stayed in the game after also absorbing a helmet-to-helmet hit.
O'Connell expressed optimism that Jones can play, noting the running back is in good spirits and receiving treatment around the clock, with his workload expected to increase as the week goes on.
If Jones cannot go, DeeJay Dallas and rookie Demond Claiborne would be in line for larger roles, and the Vikings could elevate Jerome Ford or Jaret Patterson from the practice squad. Punter Brett Thorson (hamstring) and linebacker Jake Golday will also sit out Wednesday's session.
The Vikings signed veteran punter Johnny Hekker this week but have not ruled Thorson out for Sunday's game in Tampa.
