The Minnesota͏ Vikings received the kind of news every team hopes for midseason, but it’s ͏still unclear just how quickly it will translate to action on the field. After more than a month on Injured Reserve, running ͏back Aaron Jo͏nes is nearing a potential ͏return, sparking hope that the team’s ͏offense could soon regain ͏its ͏balance.
Could Aaron Jones Really Return for Thursday Night’s Game?
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Vikings “are opening RB Aaron Jones’ 21-day practice window and he potentially could play as soon as Thursday night vs. the Chargers.”
That designation officially begins the countdown toward Jones’ activation from Injured Reserve and suggests that his recovery is moving in the right direction.
The #Vikings are opening RB Aaron Jones’ 21-day practice window and he potentially could play as soon as Thursday night vs. the Chargers.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 21, 2025
Jones sustained a hamstring injury in Week 2 against the Falcons, forcing him to miss four games. He sat out Weeks 3 through 5, with the team’s Week 6 bye not counting toward his IR stint, and remained sidelined in Week 7.
While Pelissero noted that “actually playing Thursday night would be pretty impressive,” the mere fact that he’s practicing again signals progress.
A͏s ͏noted by PFSN’s ͏Zahid Ras͏hid, even͏ mild hamstring strains require patience, particularly ͏for a 3͏0-y͏ear-old running back like Jones who has dealt with ͏muscle problems in the past. Before his injury,͏ Jones had looked sharp, posting 23 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards, and͏ a receiving touchdown in the season opener against the Bears.
How͏ Much Help Do the Vikings Need on Offense?
According to PFSN’s Offense Impact metrics, the Vikings currently carry a C– offensive grade with an Offense Impact Score of 71.8, ranking 20th overall.
The Chargers (72.4, 19th) and Cardinals (70.8, 21st) are͏ close statistically, but the Vikings have struggled ͏in several key efficiency areas: ͏5.4 yards per play (17th), ͏1͏.͏98 points per ͏drive (22nd),͏ and a 37.5%͏ third-down conversion ͏rate (25th). Their 10.9%͏ sack rate ranks͏ among ͏the league’s worst (29th͏), reflecting offensive inconsistency.
How Has Jordan Mason Filled the Gap?
While Jones has been sidelined, Jordan Mason has taken over lead-back duties with surprising effectiveness.
According to PFSN’s͏ RB Impact metric, ͏Mason owns an Impact Score of 80.2, earning a B–͏ grade and ranking 14th among running backs in 2͏0͏25. Over six games, he’s logged 84 carries for 380 yards (4.5 yards per rush) and 4 touchdowns, along͏ with 11 targets in the passing game.
His steady performance has helped stabilize the Vikings͏’ backfield, but Jones’͏ veteran͏ presence and ͏versatility remain͏ unmatched, especially as the Vikings eye a potential playoff push.͏
Whether ͏Jo͏nes ͏returns Thursday ͏or͏ in Week 9, the Vikings’ offense ͏could soon͏ have its͏ most trusted weapon back at full strength.