Aaron

Jones

Jones was held in check all afternoon and also split a lot more work with Cam Akers than we’re used to seeing. Jones had his opportunities and was stood up at the goal line multiple times during the game, but given how Green Bay limited his workload in the past, it’s a bit concerning that Minnesota used Akers so much today. There’s a chance this could become more of a committee in the final weeks of the season to keep both guys fresh.

Jones will play through the pain this week, likely on a high-volume workload against the Titans’ stout run defense. He can be started as an RB2 though he comes with a little more risk than he usually would. Cam Akers is a prudent bench stash given the circumstances.

Jones left Week 10 with the rib issue and was listed as questionable to return. He eventually did so and head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters on Monday that he expects Jones to play this week. A limited practice on Wednesday keeps him on track to suit up. Jones has taken over the backfield in recent weeks with at least 17 carries in each of his past three games. Even if the Vikings give a few of his attempts to Cam Akers because of the rib issue, Jones has secured his spot in the RB2 ranks for Week 11.

He also said that Jones might be limited in practice earlier in the week, which, after seeing the shot that Jones took this weekend, we completely understand. Jones rushed 17 times for 88 yards on Sunday against the Jaguars and would roll in as a high-end RB2 despite a suddenly-struggling Vikings offense against Tennessee.

This was a good outcome for Jones managers on a day where he took a mammoth hit and was announced as questionable with a chest injury. He thankfully missed only a few plays, though he’s undoubtedly going to miss practice time this week, and could be dealing with some broken ribs. Elsewhere, one of the reasons Jones never found the end zone is Sam Darnold kept short-circuiting drives with picks, including twice in the end zone/goal line. Jones has held up better than expected after his injury-marred final season in Green Bay, but these workloads and his recent lower-body tweaks have to be starting to take something of a toll. The Titans’ soft(ish) run defense is on tap for Week 11.

The Vikings really struggled to move the ball throughout the first half, heading into the break with a 7-0 deficit. Jones struggled to find room as the team struggled on the scoreboard, eventually breaking through in the fourth quarter to make his fantasy day not a total loss. A 22-yard reception thrown by wide receiver Justin Jefferson helped in that endeavor, although the rest of his four catches went for negative yards. Jones and the Vikings are likely to find more room against the floundering Jaguars on the road in Week 10.

For the second time in as many weeks, Jones rendered backup Ty Chandler a complete nonentity. The difference this time was, Jones couldn’t find the end zone. Disappointing, but Jones has erased any concerns about his hamstring and now has 10 days to heal up for a dream matchup with the Colts’ bottom-three run defense.

Jones played through the hamstring issue last week with phenomenal results. He ran 14 times for 93 yards and scored a long touchdown. Jones also out-carried backup Ty Chander 14-2. He is back in the RB2 ranks for his upcoming matchup with the Rams.

Jones was listed as a limited participant for the second straight day. He has been dealing with a hamstring issue since injuring it in Week 5, but was able to play through it after the Vikings’ Week 6 bye to the tune of 93 yards and a score in Week 7. This is likely some load management heading into a Thursday game against the Rams and Jones can be fired up for fantasy lineups once again.

The Vikings didn’t actually practice Monday but with are required to list availability before the Thursday Night Football contest. Jones was able to run for 93 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s close loss to the Lions, and while fantasy managers will need to make sure, it seems very likely that he’ll be in the lineup for the showdown with Los Angeles.