Health is an important aspect for any team in the NFL, and the Vikings have dealt ‒ like all other franchises ‒ with injuries this season. Christian Darrisaw and J.J. McCarthy are on IR, but the next-man-up mentality has worked so far, leading the club to a shocking 14-2 record.
Kevin O’Connell Discusses Aaron Jones’ Health
On Sunday, two players exited the game with injuries: running back Aaron Jones and pass rusher Patrick Jones.
Aaron Jones suffered a quad contusion and was held out for most of the remainder of the game, leading to more touches for backups Cam Akers and Ty Chandler. He finished the game with 12 carries for 47 yards, and he caught four passes for 30 yards.
Throughout the season, Jones has struggled with multiple injuries, including rib and hamstring injuries. Neither has cost him a game, and it looks like the contusion will be annoying but will not lead to an absence.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell provided injury updates during Monday’s press conference. The contusion “should not keep him from participating this week,” he said about his top running back.
Jones has been a huge upgrade over the departed Alexander Mattison and has already registered 1,471 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns. The difference between Jones and his backups is visible, and he’s the key to an effective rushing attack.
Minnesota needs him healthy in the playoffs, and Sunday’s matchup against the Lions is a playoff-like game because a win clinches home-field advantage, as well as a first-round bye week.
Now, let’s check in on defender Pat Jones II.
He left the game with a knee injury sustained when Packers tight end Tucker Kraft went low to block him and hit his knee. That play is legal by the rulebook, but defenders argue it shouldn’t be. Regardless, Jones stayed down for a while before slowly walking off the field.
After the game, O’Connell implied that Jones would need some time off but wasn’t sure until evaluations concluded. Monday’s comments were much more encouraging. “He’ll have a chance to even possibly make it this week,” O’Connell stated. “We’ll see how he works through it.”
Jones is enjoying a breakout fourth season in the league. He was drafted in the third round in 2021. After recording a total of five sacks in his first three campaigns, Jones has collected seven in 15 games this year, all while providing above-average run defense.
If he was forced to miss a game, rookie Dallas Turner would be asked to step into a more prominent role against the Detroit Lions as the primary rotational player behind starters Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard.
O’Connell also pointed to veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau, who has missed consecutive games due to a hip injury. Minnesota’s CB4 could return this week.
Sunday’s contest will be one of the most significant regular-season games in NFL history and surely the most impactful one the Vikings have had in a long time. Having all hands on deck is a big deal in such a big matchup.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
