Vikings Place Aaron Jones on Injured Reserve; Jordan Mason Primed for Increased Role
The Minnesota Vikings have placed running back Aaron Jones on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury sustained in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. This move will sideline Jones for a minimum of four games, opening the door for Jordan Mason to take on a significant workload in the Vikings' backfield.
Impact of Jones' Injury on Vikings' Roster
Jones' injury occurred on Sunday during a 22-6 loss to the Falcons, where he rushed for only 23 yards on five carries. This followed a similar performance in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. With Jones sidelined, the Vikings are also expected to re-sign Cam Akers, who has previously played for the team. Veteran Ty Chandler is already on injured reserve with a knee injury. Additionally, the Vikings also have Zavier Scott as a running back option.
Jordan Mason's Opportunity and Fantasy Football Implications
The Vikings acquired Jordan Mason in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in March. Through two games, the 26-year-old has rushed for 98 yards on 24 carries and added three catches for 15 yards. Fantasy football analysts believe this injury creates a significant opportunity for Mason, who was already considered a valuable stash pick due to Jones' age and injury history. With the Vikings potentially relying on the run game due to the absence of J.J. McCarthy, Mason could see a considerable increase in carries.
Additional Vikings Roster Moves
In addition to the injury to Aaron Jones, quarterback J.J. McCarthy is also dealing with a high-ankle sprain. The team has responded by agreeing to a deal with quarterback Desmond Ridder. Head Coach Kevin O'Connell is facing injury setbacks, but analysts believe that once players get healthy, the Vikings should get back on track.