RADIO
Aaron Jones Sr. Brings RB2 Potential After Getting Green Light
A once-murky Minnesota Vikings backfield was as clear as could be last week, giving running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) RB2 potential now that he carries no injury designation into Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran was terrific in the Vikings' win in Chicago last week, carrying the ball 23 times and surpassing 100 yards rushing, though he briefly departed the game with the knee injury that caused him to miss practice time this week. Tampa's defense has struggled through two weeks --they rank in the bottom five in missed tackles and have allowed opponents to score on more than half of their possessions -- and Minnesota expects the return of starting quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion), which should take pressure off the Vikings' rushing attack. The conditions are favorable for Jones, who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 20 running back this week. He brings starting potential to most formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Injuries Keep Door Open For Demond Claiborne
Injuries in the Minnesota Vikings' backfield could present a prime opportunity for Demond Claiborne, although the first-year running back comes with significant risk ahead of a Week 3 visit to Tampa Bay. The rookie played for the first time last week in the absence of running back Jordan Mason (thumb), though he did not carry the ball and caught his only target for two yards. Instead, the Vikings rode top running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee), who carried 23 times and surpassed 100 yards, but sustained an injury that caused him to miss practice time this week. Officially listed without a designation, Jones is the clear top option, but it's open season behind him with a cast that includes journeyman DeeJay Dallas, Claiborne, or recently signed Jaret Patterson. The Vikings could get a boost from the return of starting quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion), and even with Jones active, Claiborne could see the field more in Week 3. Claiborne is too unproven to start in most leagues for now, but he also could be a worthwhile bench stash in best-ball formats or for rosters that could use additional running back depth.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Will be Active in Week 3
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) will be active on Sunday in Week 3 on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Jones came away with a knee issue after the Week 2 win over the division-rival Chicago Bears, but he was able to do enough in practice this week to be cleared. The 31-year-old saw a hefty 23 carries for 105 yards last Sunday after the Vikings placed backfield mate Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve. With Mason out for at least another three games, Jones is in line for more of the lion's share of backfield touches, but can his body handle the workload increase? It is something the Vikings are a bit concerned about, so expect rookie Demond Claiborne and DeeJay Dallas to see as much complementary work as they can handle this weekend in Tampa. Fantasy managers should consider Jones a volume-based, low-end RB2 option as the Vikings look to start the 2026 season with a 3-0 record. Jones should have a slightly higher ceiling this week for fantasy managers with quarterback Kyler Murray returning from the concussion he suffered in Week 1.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Aaron Jones Sr. Practicing Again on Friday
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) is practicing again on Friday, which is a good sign for his availability on Sunday in Tampa against the Buccaneers in Week 3, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Jones came out of the Week 2 win over the division-rival Chicago Bears with a knee injury, but he appears to be trending towards playing this weekend. The 31-year-old veteran only has 12 carries for 40 yards in the season-opening win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers, but he did score on the ground. With Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve, Jones had a hefty workload this past Sunday, carrying the ball 23 times for 105 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. A heavy workload like that might not be sustainable for Jones, though, and rookie Demond Claiborne, DeeJay Dallas, and Jaret Patterson will provide depth behind him until Mason is eligible to return. At best, Jones should be considered a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex in Week 3 if he is active.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seiftert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seiftert
Aaron Jones Sr. Back at Practice on Thursday
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) was seen back at practice for the portion open to the media on Thursday, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Jones had a much bigger workload in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Chicago Bears on Sunday with Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve, carrying the ball 23 times for 105 yards. However, Jones is dealing with an injury issue of his own heading into a Week 3 matchup on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Vikings have hinted that they do not want to overwork the 31-year-old veteran either, which is why they signed Jaret Patterson this week to give them more help alongside rookie Demond Claiborne and DeeJay Dallas. Jones is not a lock to be active this weekend, but he is on the right track to play after returning to practice on Thursday. Right now, Jones should be considered a volume-based RB2/3 in fantasy lineups if he is cleared to face the Bucs. UPDATE: Jones was officially limited on Thursday.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
DeeJay Dallas Can Stay on the Waiver Wire
Minnesota Vikings running back DeeJay Dallas got three touches in Week 2, but there still is not much of a fantasy case here. He carried twice for eight yards and caught one pass for 12 yards against Chicago after making a one-yard catch in the opener. Jordan Mason's fractured thumb and move to injured reserve opened a roster spot for Dallas, not a meaningful role. Minnesota still lists Aaron Jones Sr. first on the depth chart, Demond Claiborne second and Dallas third. Jones handled 23 carries in Week 2, while Claiborne remains the more interesting stash if managers want exposure to this backfield. RotoBaller's September 23 mid-week waiver rankings have Claiborne 55th overall and leave Dallas off the top 85 entirely. That lines up with the usage. Dallas can stay on waivers in standard leagues and does not need to be rostered unless the Vikings lose another back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Not a Sure Thing for Week 3
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) did not practice Wednesday, and his availability for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay is up in the air. Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported that Jones is "not a sure thing" to play after he worked through the injury during last week's win over Chicago. He still finished that game with 23 carries for 105 yards. Minnesota is already without Jordan Mason, who landed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery on a fractured thumb. Asked what the backfield would look like without both Jones and Mason, head coach Kevin O'Connell first mentioned DeeJay Dallas and rookie Demond Claiborne. Dallas has two carries for eight yards this season. Claiborne has yet to record an NFL rushing attempt but caught one pass for two yards against Chicago. If Jones can't go, there isn't an obvious one-for-one replacement in this backfield.
Source: Kevin Seifert
Source: Kevin Seifert
Aaron Jones Sr. Won't Practice on Wednesday
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) will not practice on Wednesday, head coach Kevin O'Connell told Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The Vikings placed Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve last week, so their backfield is extremely thin heading into a Week 3 matchup on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones was the leader of the Vikings' backfield in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Chicago Bears by a mile, handling 23 carries for 105 yards. However, Jones is now banged up, and the Vikings want to take some of the load off his shoulders while Mason is out. The Vikings signed Jaret Patterson for more backfield depth on Tuesday behind rookie Demond Claiborne and DeeJay Dallas. If Jones is unable to play this weekend because of his knee injury, the Vikings would likely split their backfield with Dallas and Claiborne on Sunday. At best, Jones is shaping up as a low-end RB2 this weekend against Tampa, and we will have to see what the rest of the week holds as far as his practice participation.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Vikings Sign Jaret Patterson to Practice Squad Amid RB Injuries
The Minnesota Vikings plan to sign free-agent running back Jaret Patterson to their practice squad, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Patterson, who spent last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, will provide depth for the Vikings' backfield after they placed Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve. Veteran Aaron Jones Sr. handled the bulk of backfield work in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Chicago Bears on Sunday, but they do not want to put too much on his plate, and they also do not think that rookie Demond Claiborne is quite ready for an expanded role as an RB2. The only other option on their current 53-man roster is veteran DeeJay Dallas. The 26-year-old Patterson, a former undrafted free agent from Buffalo, had 41 rushing attempts for 159 yards and one touchdown while adding three catches for eight yards in six games (one start) for the Bolts last year. Patterson will be a long shot for any fantasy relevance this year, even with Mason currently on IR.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Demond Claiborne a Deep-League Handcuff in Thin Backfield
Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne has jumped to No. 2 on the depth chart, and while he had a very quiet Week 2 performance, he could still be a decent waiver wire target for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. In particular, he's an appealing handcuff option for fantasy managers who already have Aaron Jones Sr. on their roster. Jones and Claiborne each climbed up a rung on the depth chart after Jordan Mason (thumb) landed on injured reserve, so the latter is now just one injury away from occupying the lead-back role. The 22-year-old did play just two snaps in Week 2, so there's certainly no standalone value, and even if Jones missed time, Claiborne would likely share opportunities with DeeJay Dallas. Still, managers in deeper leagues should consider placing a waiver claim for Claiborne, who is an intriguing insurance option behind an aging veteran in Minnesota.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Vikings Exploring Secondary Options at Running Back
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that the team will be "talking about options at running back" coming out of Week 2, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert. With Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve, veteran back Aaron Jones Sr. recorded 23 carries for 105 yards in the team's Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears. Per Seifert, O'Connell said that Jones Sr. is "a guy that clearly we have a lot of confidence in." However, it appears that the team would prefer not to overload Jones Sr., who is in his age-32 season and will likely surpass 2,000 career touches in 2026. Sixth-round rookie Demond Claiborne and veteran DeeJay Dallas were the primary backups to Jones Sr. against Chicago, but the two combined to record just four touches and 22 scrimmage yards. Seifert mentions veteran back Jerome Ford, who is currently on Minnesota's practice squad, as another potential option while Mason is sidelined. Fantasy managers may want to explore selling Jones Sr. at a relatively high point in his value ahead of what could be a reduced workload in future weeks.
Source: ESPN - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN - Kevin Seifert
Aaron Jones Sr. "Pretty Sore" After Week 2 Win
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that running back Aaron Jones Sr. was "pretty sore" after the team's Week 2 win over the division-rival Chicago Bears on Sunday. Backup Jordan Mason (thumb) is on Injured Reserve for another three weeks, and rookie sixth-rounder Demond Claiborne "is not ready to carry the load," according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. In addition to Jones and Claiborne, the Vikings have veteran DeeJay Dallas on their 53-man roster, and Jerome Ford is on their practice squad. "[Jones] is a guy that clearly we have a lot of confidence in," O'Connell said, "but we want to be smart about it as well." The 31-year-old Jones handled 23 carries for 105 yards in Sunday's 9-3 victory over Chicago, but it sounds as though the Vikings would like to get some other backs involved to take some of the load off of Jones' shoulders going forward. Sunday's production from Jones with Mason on IR might be the ceiling of what fantasy managers can expect from him.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Aaron Jones Sr. Eclipses 100 Yards In Vikings Victory
The Minnesota Vikings rode running back Aaron Jones Sr. for 23 carries and 105 yards on Sunday in Chicago, doing just enough in a 9-3 victory in which neither side scored a touchdown. Jones was the centerpiece of the Minnesota offense during awful weather conditions, drawing a significant workload as the Vikings also played without fellow running back Jordan Mason (thumb) and quarterback Kyler Murray. The veteran running back briefly departed the game with a knee injury, but he returned to finish the fourth quarter as Minnesota tacked on a late field goal and held off the Bears' final drive. Even if Jones is unlikely to carry the ball as often as he did in Week 2, his involvement Sunday suggests he'll be lineup-worthy while Mason is on injured reserve. The Vikings travel to Tampa in Week 3.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Aaron Jones Sr. Returns vs. Bears
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) returned for the end of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. Jones was questionable to return after being injured in the second half, although he was able to get off the field on his own before being tended to by trainers. The veteran back is leading the Vikings' running game with teammate Jordan Mason (thumb) on IR, recording 17 carries for 85 yards before being injured in Week 2.
Source: Lindsey Young
Source: Lindsey Young
Aaron Jones Sr. Questionable to Return With Knee Injury
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears, Mike Garafolo reported via the X platform. Jones had 17 carries for 85 yards before being injured in the second half of Sunday's low-scoring game. He was able to get off the field by himself before being tended to by Minnesota's trainers. The veteran back recorded 12 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers and led the Vikings' ground game in Week 2 with fellow RB Jordan Mason (thumb) on injured reserve.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
