Jordan Mason is finally set to come off IR for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7, and honestly, it couldn’t come soon enough for Aaron Jones Sr. The veteran running back has been shouldering an insane workload, and you gotta wonder how much more he could take before something gave.
Aaron Jones Sr. Is Carrying The Entire Load For Minnesota
Let’s talk about Aaron Jones Sr., because what he’s been doing for the Vikings is wild. Since Jordan Mason went on IR with a thumb injury, Jones has been the Vikings’ bell cow, no question. But the numbers? They’re eye-popping for all the wrong reasons if you’re thinking about player health. Through four games, Jones has racked up 72 carries. To put that in perspective, his previous high was 65 carries way back in 2020. This year’s total is nearly double his previous nine-year average. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert pointed out that this is likely the heaviest early-season workload of his career. He’s been listed as questionable in the last two games, which, to any fan watching, signals pretty clearly that maybe Jones wasn’t exactly meant to be the lead back in 2026. The grit and stamina coaches have lauded are real, but nobody can sustain that forever.
Mason’s Return: A Much-Needed Sight After Claiborne’s Struggles
The reason Jones was left as the “only reliable runner” for the Vikings? It’s a combo platter of bad luck and rookie growing pains. Jordan Mason landed on IR with a fractured thumb, leaving a huge hole. And then there’s rookie Demond Claiborne, who’s apparently struggled to get acclimated to the speed of the NFL. Mason’s return after the Vikings’ Week 6 bye is going to be a welcome sight, for coaches, for fans, and especially for Jones himself. This team desperately needs another dependable option in the backfield.
What Mason’s Return Means For Jones Sr.’s Longevity
So, what’s this all mean moving forward? Jones could probably keep grinding as the lead back, the guy’s got heart, but taking some of that immense weight off his shoulders will be huge for his longevity this season. Mason coming back means a reduced workload for Jones, which benefits everyone. It gives the Vikings a more balanced attack and keeps one of their key offensive pieces from breaking down before the season even hits its stride. We’ll be watching to see how they split the carries heading into Week 7. It’s an important shift for that Vikings offense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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