Packers could be without one of their top players vs. Vikings this week
By Adam Patrick
The Minnesota Vikings might not have to deal with Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones.
During his last three games against the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones has scored five touchdowns and rushed for 336 yards (112 average).
Jones has caused problems for the Vikings defense recently and Minnesota hasn’t seemed to figure out a way to stop him.
Luckily for the Vikings, they might not have to face the talented running back when they take on the Packers this weekend. Jones is dealing with a calf injury and after sitting out Green Bay’s game last week, he missed the team’s practice again on Wednesday.
What it means for the Minnesota Vikings if Aaron Jones is out this week
Without Jones last week, the Packers still finished 96 yards on the ground. But Green Bay needed 27 carries to gain that final rushing total and they averaged less than four yards per attempt.
Jamaal Williams is a talented backup running back for the Packers, but he’s not someone who Minnesota should fear heading into Sunday’s matchup. In 19 career starts, Williams has finished with more than 100 rushing yards in a single game just once.
Without Jones on the field this weekend, the Vikings defense would have one less Green Bay offensive weapon to worry about. His absence would probably allow Minnesota to bring more pressure on passing downs since there would be less of a fear of the Packers’ rushing attack.
In games against the Vikings where Aaron Rodgers is sacked three times or less, Green Bay is 13-1. So getting pressure, and a lot of it, on Rodgers this week will be huge for Minnesota if they want to pull off an upset.
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The Vikings recently trading away this season’s sack leader (Yannick Ngakoue) doesn’t seem like something that is going to help the team’s pass rush moving forward. But Mike Zimmer is not one to be doubted and if there’s anyone who can come up with creative ways to generate pressure on the opposing quarterback, it’s the current Minnesota head coach.