The Minnesota Vikings are quietly getting healthier as their 2025 season hits a clear pivot point.
Now at the bottom of the NFC North standings at 3-3, the Vikings will have to navigate a tough stretch in their schedule to keep pace in the playoff picture.
They face a tough spot this week, back on the road to face the Los Angeles Chargers on "Thursday Night Football"; after a mini bye, they then get first-place Detroit at Ford Field, and what should be an equally as desperate Baltimore Ravens squad at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 10.
It’s the kind of stretch that could make-or-break the season for the banged-up Vikings, who got left guard Donovan Jackson and linebacker Blake Cashman back in the lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles last week.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed on Tuesday that yet another practice window has been opened for a starter stashed away on injured reserve, and that’s good news for a Vikings team that could use all the reinforcements that they can get right now.
Minnesota Vikings could get their 1-2 punch back at running back ahead of TNF against Los Angeles Chargers
The Vikings have been without starting running back Aaron Jones since Week 2 with a hamstring injury, but the veteran’s 21-day practice window was opened on Tuesday. Per NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, Jones has a chance to rejoin Jordan Mason in the Vikings’ backfield on Thursday.
Jones’ return could open up a missing element in the Vikings’ passing game. Jones was a key safety valve for quarterback Sam Darnold in 2024, snagging 52 catches for 408 receiving yards and two touchdowns; Mason, despite playing four more games, still trails Jones in receiving by 10 yards this season.
The outside chance of getting Jones back for the Chargers game is even bigger with pass-catching back Zavier Scott dealing with a wrist issue.
The ground attack also stands to benefit, as Mason has been trending down ever since his monster Week 3 performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Vikings rank 25th in the NFL in rushing over their last three games, per TeamRankings.com, with an average of 85.3; Mason has fallen shy of 60 rushing yards in every game over that stretch, with a 3.7 per-carry average. He also lost a tide-turning fumble in the loss to Pittsburgh in Dublin.
Jones wasn’t exactly lighting up defenses on the ground when he was out there early in the season, but the Vikings stand to benefit from getting their 1-2 punch back in short order.