In his second game back from a stint on IR with a hamstring injury, running back Aaron Jones was the driving force for the Minnesota Vikings' ground game in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. He finished with nine carries for 78 yards (with a long of 31 yards), while adding two catches for 20 yards to almost get to 100 yards from scrimmage.
Jones also came out of the game against the Lions with a shoulder injury. While he's listed as questionable for Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens, all indications are that he'll be able to suit up.
That said, Jordan Mason is plenty capable and may get the majority of the backfield work with Jones likely to be somewhat limited. But having the veteran back available for limited work is obviously better than not having him at all, and if push comes to shove, Zavier Scott can take some of Jones's role.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones gets a shocking fine from the Week 9 game
After reviewing things all week, Saturday is the day the NFL announces fines for infractions (penalized on the field or not) from the previous week's games.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Jones was fined $23,186 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) for this play early in last week's game against the Lions.
The NFL fined Vikings RB Aaron Jones $23,186 for unnecessary roughness (use of the helmet) on this play last week in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/c1TMloaqUK
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 8, 2025
In recent years, the league has tried to put the kibosh on offensive players lowering their head and essentially using their helmet as a weapon, like a defender might, which is a good thing overall. A flag for a violation during a game is rare, though, since it's hard to pick up in real time. But never fear, the league office is here to clean up what referees miss and hit players with fines.
At first glance, and upon subsequent review of the play, Jones' $23,000-plus fine is excessive. He is not a repeat offender of the illegal helmet use rule, and he has been fined just two times before in his career (neither for unnecessary roughness).
Then again, the way the league office doles out fines has no discernible rhyme or reason. The same offense could draw different fines for different players, without regard for someone being a repeat offender committing the fineable offense.
In any case, Jones is a little lighter in the wallet now, to the tune of nearly 28 percent of his Week 9 salary ($83,333).