After sitting on the sidelines for the team's last four games, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones is returning to the field on Thursday for a Week 8 showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Jones suffered a hamstring injury in the Vikings' Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and it resulted in Minnesota placing him injured reserve to keep him out of action for at least four contests.
On Thursday, the Vikings officially removed the veteran running back from injured reserve and re-added him to their active roster, indicating that he is going to suit up against the Chargers in primetime. Then his status for the matchup was confirmed by Minnesota when the team revealed its inactives, and he wasn't listed.
Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones to play in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers
Before Minnesota even activated Jones on Thursday, ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit had shared earlier in the day that the Pro Bowl running back was expected to play in Week 8 against Los Angeles. So, his return isn't anything that came out of nowhere.
Before the start of the 2025 season, Jones and the Vikings agreed to a new two-year contract worth $20 million. He was scheduled to hit free agency in March, but Minnesota and the veteran playmaker were able to reach a deal a few days before he potentially wound up joining another team.
Last season was Jones's first with Minnesota after spending the first seven years of his NFL career with the rival Green Bay Packers. He crossed over to the good side during the 2024 offseason, and he proceeded to gain 1,546 total yards (1,138 rushing and 408 receiving) and score seven touchdowns in his first year with the Vikings.
Despite his absence, Minnesota's rushing attack has still been solid with Jordan Mason as the team's No. 1 running back in the last four games. While Jones was sidelined, Mason rushed for 282 yards, averaged 4.7 yards per carry, and scored four touchdowns.
But having Jones back on the field will give the Vikings' backfield a nice change of pace to complement Mason's skill-set, and hopefully the reunion of the duo results in a Minnesota win over the Chargers on Thursday.