Aaron Jones avoids major knee injury as Vikings prepare for Lions

Jones day to day after injury scare

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. avoided a serious knee injury on Sunday and is considered day to day. Head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed the update on Monday following the team's 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Jones suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter. On a 17 yard run down the right sideline with 12:22 remaining, he absorbed a hit to his left leg from Colts safety A.J. Haulcy. Jones started the game and had 26 yards on eight carries. He has played through a sprained MCL in his left knee for most of the current season.

Backfield depth and trade rumors

Minnesota has been connected to trade rumors regarding veteran running backs for much of the season. O'Connell stated he will meet with general manager Nolan Teasley this week, as he usually does, but the team does not expect to add depth at the position right now.

O'Connell noted that based on where Jones is at coming out of the game, he does not see running back depth as an issue, though he acknowledged that situation could change day to day.

Jordan Mason recently returned from a fractured thumb and led Minnesota on Sunday with 15 carries for 68 yards. Jones had served as the primary starter for four games while Mason recovered. Behind them, rookie Demond Claiborne and veteran newcomer DeeJay Dallas have combined for nine carries on the season. Claiborne was inactive for the two games where both Jones and Mason played.

What it means for the next game

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (NFL, Sun, 01 Nov): Detroit Lions win 54%, Minnesota Vikings win 46%; projected score Detroit Lions 24, Minnesota Vikings 21. Our safest pick: Under 53.5 points.