Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones had a lot of expectations coming into the 2025 season, but it has so far been derailed by injury. He rushed a career-high 1,138 yards last season and this has set him up to get high expectations.
Jones had been on the injury reserve last week and this is not looking good for any fantasy manager who has drafted him. The big question is, will he be able to play in Week 5 against the 1-3 Cleveland Browns?
What Happened to Aaron Jones?
During Week 2, Aaron Jones injured his hamstring against the Atlanta Falcons and was placed on the injury reserve since then. It was deemed serious enough to land him in IR status and it may be weeks before he can play again.
He looked good a week before, as he had 44 yards on three catches on Week 1, with many expecting him to be the Vikings’ premier pass-catching running back for the season, ahead of his hamstring injury.
Is Aaron Jones Playing Week 5?
With him being placed in injury reserve, this means that he will surely miss Week 5. This is bad news for Vikings fans, as not only is Jones injured, but also quarterback JJ McCarthy is also missing Week 5.
Jones is expected to miss at least four games, and he is expected to return around Week 8 when the Minnesota Vikings take on the LA Chargers for Thursday Night Football on Oct. 26. The Vikings will have a bye week for Week 6, which works in favor for the injured running back, as he will miss less games than expected and get more time to heal that injured hamstring.
Aaron Jones has had plenty of hamstring injuries throughout his career, and this has made the Vikings approach his injury cautiously. Hamstring injuries are not taken lightly by teams around the league in general, and that Week 8 return is not guaranteed as he may need more time to heal.
Aaron Jones Fantasy Outlook
As for Fantasy managers, Jones’ absence may be bad news for those running him. It may be best to sit him out for now as he nurses his hamstring injury.
For now, Minnesota is expected to run Jordan Mason as their passing-down back, though once Jones returns around Week 8, he is expected to take over the role once again. However, it should be noted that Mason has so far out-performed Jones, as he was more efficient with 4.1 yards per carry, as opposed to Jones’ 3.5.
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