The Minnesota Vikings could be short on running backs for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jordan Mason went on the injured reserve after fracturing his thumb in the team's season-opening win against the Green Bay Packers. Minnesota may also go into its Week 3 matchup without Aaron Jones.
Jones missed Wednesday's practice due to a knee issue. Per ESPN's Kevin Seifert, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said the Pro Bowler isn't certain to play this weekend. With Mason and quarterback Kyler Murray inactive, Jones turned 23 carries into 105 yards during a 9-3 victory over the Chicago Bears.
It was the most handoffs he received in a single game since Week 10 of the 2022 season. Jones finished the Week 2 game in a knee brace, and the Vikings planned to keep him out of Wednesday's practice. O'Connell told reporters that the 31-year-old is feeling "pretty good." "We'll just keep getting treatment around the clock," O'Connell said, "and see if we can pick up his workload as the week goes on." The Vikings have loaded up on running backs to prepare for Jones' possible absence.
They promoted DeeJay Dallas to the active roster last week and signed Jerome Ford and Jaret Patterson to the practice squad. Dallas has seen limited reps in Minnesota's first two games, gaining 21 yards on four touches. The former fourth-round pick, who spent last season with the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars, could receive an expanded role if Jones doesn't play.
Minnesota could also turn to rookie Demond Claiborne, who caught a 2-yard reception in his NFL debut last Sunday. The sixth-round selection from Wake Forest played just two snaps. Sunday's game between the Vikings and Buccaneers starts at 4:05 p.m.
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