Before answering questions from the local media on Monday, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell revealed that running back Jordan Mason is currently dealing with a thumb injury following the team's win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 1.
O'Connell didn't sound too concerned when sharing the news about Mason, but Minnesota's actions on Tuesday might shed some light on the team's actual concern level about the veteran running back's injured thumb.
We'll find out more about the severity of Mason's injury on Wednesday when the Vikings release their first injury report of Week 2, but on Tuesday, the team brought in multiple running backs for a workout, signaling that Mason's thumb injury might be worse than anticipated.
What RBs did the Minnesota Vikings workout on Tuesday?
Jerome Ford
A former fifth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, Jerome Ford has been in the NFL since 2022. The first four seasons of Ford's career were all spent with the Browns, including the 2024 campaign, when he rushed for 813 yards and four touchdowns on 204 carries, in addition to catching 44 passes for 319 yards and five more scores.
He appeared in a total of 57 games for Cleveland (including 18 starts), and his NFL career was expected to continue with the Washington Commanders after signing with them back in March, but they released him before the start of the regular season with an injury settlement.
Kenny McIntosh
Kenny McIntosh is someone who Minnesota general manager Nolan Teasley is very familiar with since he was part of the Seattle Seahawks' front office that selected the former Georgia running back in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
During his time in the league, McIntosh has only appeared in a total of 20 games, all with the Seahawks, rushing for just 172 total yards on 31 carries.
Ulysses Bentley IV
Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss in 2025 by the Indianapolis Colts, Ulysses Bently IV spent the majority of last season on the Colts' practice squad, and it seemed like that was the plan for this year until Indianapolis released him earlier this month.
With the Colts last season, he appeared in one game and accumulated one rushing attempt.
What happens if Jordan Mason can't play against the Chicago Bears in Week 2
Thankfully, Minnesota's rushing attack should still be pretty solid if Mason's thumb injury forces him to be sidelined for the upcoming Week 2 matchup with the Chicago Bears.
Aaron Jones will still be available, and he's obviously carried the majority of the load as the Vikings' RB1 since first signing with the team in 2024. Jones is coming off a Week 1 performance against the Packers where he rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
Veteran DeeJay Dallas was the other running back who was active for Minnesota during the season opener, and it's safe to assume he will also be active in Week 2 regardless of whether Mason can play or not.
If Mason does end up having to sit out next Sunday, that would likely clear the way for rookie running back Demond Claiborne to make his regular-season debut with the Vikings. Claiborne was one of three Minnesota rookies who were inactive for the Green Bay matchup last week.
Hopefully, Mason is able to take the field on Sunday, and Minnesota was just taking precautions by working out multiple running backs on Tuesday. If he can't, though, it's going to be at least a little tougher for the Vikings to get a win over Chicago in Week 2.
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