Vikings Announce Massive News After Win Over Jets

The Minnesota Vikings enter their bye week 5-0 and in control of the NFC North.  Minnesota is one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this year.  Not many analysts or fans predicted a team who lost their starting quarterback in free agency and lost their first round draft pick to a season ending injury, would start undefeated.

In week five, Minnesota took down the New York Jets 23-17.  In the game, however, running back Aaron Jones went down with an injury.  After the game, the team had a significant announcement to make.

Vikings Announce Massive News After Win Over Jets

A hip injury forced Aaron Jones to leave the game in the first half.

It was initially deemed “Questionable” that Jones might return, before being downgraded to “Out”. Injuries like this are obviously troubling for Vikings fans and players. In the aftermath of Jones’ departure, Minnesota’s offensive efficiency plummeted. Before leaving the game, Aaron Jones averaged 4.1 yards per carry (7 carries).

In Jones’ absence, Ty Chandler handled the bulk of the running back workload. In 14 carries, he gained just 30 yards, a miserable 2.1 yards per carry. Jones’ absence wasn’t just evident in the running game.

Kevin O’Connell returned to his old ways without a competent run game. Never run, always pass. Consequently, Sam Darnold had one of his worst games as a Viking against a good Jets defense. In addition to one interception and zero touchdowns, the 7th-year quarterback completed less than 50% of his passes.

Jones, however, may not miss a game:

Initial reports on Jones’ injury are optimistic

Fortunately, we got good news on that front, Sunday evening. According to Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk), the Vikings believe Aaron Jones avoided major injury vs New York, and they expect him, at least for now, to be ready vs the Lions in week 7.

Initial word is that, by the time the Vikings return to action after their Week 6 bye, Jones should be good to go.

Mike Florio – ProFootballTalk.com

I don’t have to tell Minnesota Vikings fans this, but Aaron Jones deserves about just as much credit for this team’s early success in 2024, as Sam Darnold or Kevin O’Connell. Anyone who watched Alexander Mattison drag KOC’s offense down in 2023 appreciates exactly what the former Green Bay Packer brings his one-time rival.

If true, that is massive for Minnesota’s offense going forward.