RADIO
Jordan Mason Boasts Minimal Work in Ugly Loss
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason rushed six times for 35 yards and added seven yards on 2-of-3 receiving in Monday's 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Mason was effective with his work on the ground, but never got a chance to get anything going on a night when Minnesota netted 178 total yards of offense. In fact, just three of the Vikings' 12 possessions ended with more than five plays. Even then, one of the three was an eight-play, ten-yard drive. Notably, the backfield snap share swung back in Mason's favor this week, as teammate Aaron Jones Sr. had led the duo by an equally slim margin in Week 8. It's unclear if that solidifies anything, but the former ran three more routes and picked up two more targets. As it stands, they could continue to work in tandem, which would be the least-optimal outcome for fantasy. Perhaps we'll gain clarity on the situation in next weekend's divisional bout with the hosting Green Bay Packers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Aaron Jones Sr. Carries Some Appeal For MNF
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. will have renewed potential as his team makes a quarterback change in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills. Starter Kyler Murray (hamstring) will not play, giving way to journeyman Carson Wentz. For all of Wentz's flaws, he's likely to open up Minnesota's downfield passing game, which could present some opportunity for the Vikings' running backs. As the Vikings' best pass-catching back, Jones would benefit from Minnesota's passing attack gaining any steam as he prepares to face a Bills defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to PPR running backs. As RotoBaller's No. 29 running back this week, Jones carries RB3 potential and can start in most formats, but managers will have to ask how much they trust the Vikings' offense to turn things around.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Mason Tough To Rely Upon Amidst Vikings' Struggles
While the Minnesota Vikings might have the NFL's top defense, their offense can't throw effectively, can't run effectively, and seemingly can't figure out how to fix it, all of which makes running back Jordan Mason tough to trust in a Week 9 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense has looked brutal for most of the past two seasons, and Mason's 20 yards on eight carries last week in Detroit was unplayable from a fantasy perspective. The Vikings will make a switch to quarterback Carson Wentz after ruling out Kyler Murray (hamstring), which may open up the downfield passing game despite the veteran QB's flaws. That would be good news for both Mason and backfield mate Aaron Jones Sr. in time to face a Bills defense that ranks 26th against half-PPR running backs. As RotoBaller's No. 34 running back this week, Mason has fringe RB3/Flex appeal, though managers will have to weigh their trust in the Vikings' offense against their other options.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Sees Workload Decline Entering Week 9
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. has seen his rushing opportunities decline sharply over the past two games. Jones rushed 45 times for 207 yards in Weeks 4 and 5 but has managed just 13 carries for 48 yards since Minnesota's bye. He aggravated a knee injury in Week 7 and missed Wednesday's practice ahead of Week 8 before returning to full participation Friday. Jones then rushed five times for 22 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards against Detroit. Jordan Mason has outcarried Jones in both games since returning, adding uncertainty to the backfield rotation. RotoBaller ranks Jones RB29 for Week 9 against Buffalo, ahead of Mason at RB34. Jones remains a flex option, but his recent injury and reduced workload raise concerns about his fantasy upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeeJay Dallas Returns to Practice Squad, Holds No Fantasy Value
Minnesota Vikings 28-year-old running back DeeJay Dallas had one carry in Week 8 and played 32 percent of the team's snaps, but has yet to deliver any meaningful performance in the 2026 season. While he had the chance to back up Aaron Jones Sr. when Jordan Mason was on Injured Reserve, he still didn't earn any meaningful opportunities, and now that Mason has returned, Dallas has been reverted to the practice squad and should be dropped in all formats. Dallas has never had much fantasy relevance in his six-year career, never tallying more than 23 carries in any season. Fantasy managers looking to stash a handcuff running back should look elsewhere.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Mason Struggles to Make an Impact Vs. Lions
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason rushed eight times for 20 yards in his team's 19-15 loss to the Detroit Lions. Mason couldn't get anything going in Week 8 against one of the league's better run defenses. For what it's worth, backfield mate Aaron Jones Sr. didn't find much room to work either, but he was still far more effective than Mason with his touches and commanded the duo's only two targets in the receiving game. It was an uncharacteristic outing for Minnesota, as their run/pass split leaned heavier toward the latter for just the third time under quarterback Kyler Murray's direction in the campaign. As it stands, Mason fits well in the RB3 range most weeks, but doesn't possess week-winning upside while sharing a backfield with Jones. They'll get another stiff test in Week 9 against a formidable Buffalo Bills rush defense.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Volume Questions Cloud Week 8 Outlook For Aaron Jones Sr.
Running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) does not carry an injury designation for the Minnesota Vikings' Week 8 visit to Detroit, giving him some RB3/Flex appeal despite the lingering ailment. The Lions' primary struggles on defense have come against the pass, which plays into the veteran running back's skill set, though it's tough to predict how many snaps he'll be afforded after reaggravating his injury last week. Now that fellow running back Jordan Mason is back, the Vikings are looking at a split that likely will favor Mason on clear rushing downs and Jones in passing situations. Jones practiced on Thursday and Friday, so he's set to play against the Lions, but volume could be an issue. As RotoBaller's No. 28 running back this week, Jones is playable in standard formats, but managers should consider the whole picture before setting their lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Optimism For Jordan Mason In Week 8
With the Minnesota Vikings dealing with a lingering injury in their running back room, Jordan Mason could be in line for extra work when the team takes on the Detroit Lions in Week 8. Fellow running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) does not carry a designation but has dealt with the injury on and off since Week 2, which could mean more carries for Mason. The Georgia Tech product had a solid first game back in the lineup last week, earning 15 carries for 68 yards, and his 4.7 yards per carry since joining the Vikings has kept him at the forefront of the run game. The Lions have allowed 27.5 points per game this season, which ranks 26th in the NFL, but they've allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards as teams have instead attacked the secondary. Still, the circumstances suggest Mason can be an RB2 option in most leagues. He's RotoBaller's No. 20 running back in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones off injury report, good to go for Sunday
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) has been removed from the final Week 8 injury report on Friday and is good to go for Sunday's divisional clash against the Detroit Lions, according to Vikings beat reporter Will Ragatz. Jones aggravated a lingering knee injury in the Week 7 win over the Indianapolis Colts last weekend, but the 31-year-old veteran is good to go as the Vikings look to remain undefeated. His fantasy value has taken a major hit with Jordan Mason returning from Injured Reserve last week, though, as he had a season-low eight rushing attempts for 26 yards last Sunday after he had a season-high 25 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown in the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints before the bye week. The Vikings have not been shy about the fact that they plan on being smart about Jones' workload going forward now that Mason is back in the fold in their backfield. In the second game with Mason back, Jones should be viewed as a touchdown-dependent, low-upside RB3/flex in fantasy football lineups in Motown.
Source: Will Ragatz
Source: Will Ragatz
Aaron Jones Sr. Returns to Limited Practice on Thursday
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) returned to practice on Thursday and was listed as a limited participant. Jones was a non-participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, but his return to a limited session on Thursday puts him on track to potentially be active for the Vikings this weekend for their divisional tilt on Sunday on the road against the Detroit Lions as they look to stay undefeated. The 31-year-old took on a heavy workload in previous weeks with fellow RB Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve, and he departed the Week 7 win over the Indianapolis Colts after aggravating a knee injury. Mason also made his return from IR last Sunday, which limited Jones to a season-low eight carries for 26 yards and one reception for no gain. If Jones' knee injury does not prevent him from playing against Detroit, he will be a low-upside RB3/flex, at best, while battling a knee injury and limited playing time alongside Mason. Jones is averaging 4.2 yards per carry for 436 rushing yards and two rushing scores on 105 carries through six games, but the Vikings have made it clear that they want to take it easy on the veteran now that Mason is back.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Mason Back in Lead Role, Could Handle Even More Volume
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason returned from injured reserve last week and immediately stepped back into his No. 1 role with 15 carries. He was also targeted twice in the passing game, but he didn't convert either opportunity into a reception. Mason now has an opportunity to handle even more volume going forward, as teammate Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) suffered an injury in Week 7 and didn't practice on Wednesday. It's too early to tell whether Jones will miss time, but if he does, Mason should handle even more volume on the ground and through the air than before. In such a scenario, he would theoretically increase his snap share from last week's 64% mark to at least 75% in Week 8. He's averaging nearly five yards per carry since the start of the 2023 season, vaulting himself into high-end RB3 or low-end RB2 territory going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Will be Absent on Wednesday
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Jones is considered day-to-day after aggravating a pre-existing knee injury. The 31-year-old veteran's injury is not believed to be serious, but it puts his availability in question for the upcoming Week 8 matchup on the road against the division-rival Detroit Lions. Jones was effective as the Vikings' bell-cow back early in the year with Jordan Mason on Injured Reserve due to a thumb injury, but with Mason returning in last week's victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Jones' role took a sharp drop, as he handled a season-low eight rushing attempts for 26 yards and caught his only target in the passing game for no gain. It came after he had a season-high 25 carries for 113 yards and a score in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints. If both Jones and Mason are healthy, Jones is going to operate in a backfield timeshare, which will make him a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex option. Fantasy managers should be preparing for the possibility of being without Jones this weekend in Motown.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Aaron Jones Sr. Considered Day-to-Day With Knee Injury
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) is considered day-to-day after aggravating his existing knee injury during Sunday's 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and the injury is not believed to be significant, which is encouraging news after he exited in the fourth quarter and did not return. The veteran has been playing through a sprained left MCL since Week 2 and finished Sunday's contest with eight carries for 26 yards and one reception for no gain. Jordan Mason, returning from a four-game absence, handled 15 carries for 68 yards and gives Minnesota another established backfield option heading into Week 8 against the Detroit Lions. Even if Jones is available, Mason's immediate involvement suggests the Vikings could return to a more balanced workload after relying heavily on Jones during Mason's absence.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Aaron Jones Sr. Injures Same Knee Against Colts
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) injured the same knee that has troubled him all season during Sunday's 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell, as reported by Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune, which could hand Jordan Mason an even larger role if the veteran cannot play against the Detroit Lions in Week 8. Jones has been playing through a sprained left MCL since Week 2 and previously experienced setbacks against the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. The 31-year-old exited following a 17-yard run in the fourth quarter and did not return, finishing with eight carries for 26 yards and one reception for zero yards. Mason (thumb), making his first appearance since Week 1, led Minnesota with 15 carries for 68 yards and had assumed a substantial portion of the workload before Jones departed. The severity of Jones' latest injury remains unclear.
Source: Ben Goessling
Source: Ben Goessling
Aaron Jones Sr. Questionable to Return With Knee Injury
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) is questionable to return in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported via the X platform. Jones, who has been dealing with an MCL injury, went to the blue medical tent after being hit on a 17-yard run in Sunday's game. Jordan Mason, who was questionable to play due to a thumb injury but is active, will assume Jones' duties in the interim. Jones had eight carries for 26 yards before exiting the game. Rookie Demond Claiborne was a healthy scratch for this game, so if Jones cannot return in the second half, DeeJay Dallas would serve as Minnesota's RB2 behind Mason.
Source: Kevin Seifert via X.com
Source: Kevin Seifert via X.com
