Vikings Star Aaron Jones Receives Disappointing Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones has been deemed “week to week” with a hip injury, according to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Jones sustained his hip injury during the first quarter of the Vikings’ 23-17 win over the New York Jets in London on Sunday, “Aaron Jones continues to be evaluated,” O’Connell said to reporters Tuesday. “All the early information that we’ve got so far – it looks like we’ve avoided a long-term injury. I’d classify him as really week-to-week at this point. He’ll get treatment throughout this week and I’ll give you guys an update where he’s at next week as we kinda hopefully work him back in, getting involved in practice and leading into whether we’ll have him versus the Lions.”
Jones carried the ball seven times for 29 yards and caught one pass for 24 yards before exiting the game because of injury. The Vikings currently have a bye, but the team remains uncertain on if Jones will be able to return after the bye for their Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions, which will be a pivotal game for both teams and the NFC North division.
Jones has played a key role in the Vikings getting off to a 5-0 start this season. Jones has rushed the football 71 times for 350 yards and one touchdown, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He currently ranks 11th in the NFL in rushing yards. He also caught the ball 17 times for 167 yards and one touchdown.
The eighth-year pro joined the Vikings during the offseason after spending the first seven years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. Jones has rushed for at least 1,000 yards three times in his career, and has brought balance to a Vikings’ offense that features a strong passing attack with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Sam Darnold. The Vikings will not have an easy rushing matchup against the Lions when they return from their bye, as they take on a Lions team that is fourth in the NFL in rushing defense.
if Jones is unable to play in Week 7 against the Lions, Ty Chandler would be expected to get the bulk of the carries for the team. Chandler received the most carries against the Jets after Jones exited, carrying the ball 14 times for 30 yards. C.J. Ham also carried the ball twice for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Myles Gaskin got two carries for two yards.
