Vikings activate RB Aaron Jones for Thursday showdown vs. Chargers

When Aaron Jones, running back for the Minnesota Vikings was cleared to suit up Thursday, the buzz around SoFi Stadium was palpable. The 30‑year‑old, entering his eighth NFL season, officially left injured reserve on Oct. 23, 2025, just in time for the Week 8 clash with the Los Angeles Chargers. Fans hoped his return would spark a sputtering rushing attack that had stalled at just over 85 yards per game without him.

Why Jones' activation matters

The Vikings’ backfield has been a revolving door since Jones went down with a right hamstring strain in the Week 2 loss to Atlanta on Sept. 15. During his four‑game absence, rookie Zavier Scott and second‑year Jordan Mason kept the ball moving, but the unit never crossed the 90‑yard threshold. In contrast, Jones logged 1,138 rushing yards and five touchdowns for the Green Bay Packers last season, so the drop was stark.

According to the league’s stats released Oct. 21, Minnesota’s offense ranked 20th overall, averaging 327.8 yards per game. The rushing component, however, lagged. "We were grinding out 85 yards a night without Aaron, which is far below what we expect," said Kwesi Adofo‑Mensah, the Vikings’ general manager, during an Oct. 22 press conference.

Road to activation

The protocol started on Tuesday, Oct. 21, when the team opened Jones’ mandatory 21‑day practice window at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. Head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman, a 12‑year veteran of the Vikings’ medical staff, oversaw light drills and monitored the hamstring’s response. By Wednesday, Jones was listed as ‘questionable’ on the final injury report, a designation that turned into an official activation at 2:30 p.m. PT, per the NFL’s office in New York City.

Had the rehab gone sideways, the Vikings would have leaned even more on Mason, who posted a solid 116 yards and two scores in the Week 4 win over Cincinnati. Still, his breakout was limited, and the lack of a true bell‑cow back kept opposing defenses honest.

Game‑day expectations and early reactions

On the morning of the matchup, ESPN’s analyst Kirk Herbstreit floated the idea that Jones would suit up, a notion later confirmed by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on social media. The Vikings entered the stadium with a tentative game plan: feed Jones early to wear down the Chargers’ 128.3‑yard rushing defense and open up play‑action for the quarterback corps.

Speaking from the sidelines, head coach Kevin O'Connell hinted that Jones would see a controlled snap count, aiming to avoid a repeat of his Week 2 injury. "We’re not going to rush him back. The goal is to give the offense a spark while protecting his leg," O'Connell told reporters after practice.

How the game unfolded

The Chargers struck first, capitalizing on a short field to go up 10‑0. When Jones finally got the ball in the second quarter, he managed a modest 23‑yard gain on a draw play that helped the Vikings cross midfield for the first time. He finished with 57 yards on ten carries, a respectable showing given his limited reps.

Veteran backup Carson Wentz, thrust into the starter’s role after J.J. McCarthy suffered a shoulder contusion, battled a rib injury of his own. He completed 18 of 32 attempts for 197 yards, one interception, and a late‑game touchdown that cut the deficit. Still, the Vikings’ offense sputtered in the fourth quarter, and the Chargers held on for a 24‑17 win.

Post‑game, senior writer Rob Kleifield summed it up: "Wentz showed toughness, but without Aaron firing on all cylinders, the Vikings’ ground game never really got going."

Impact assessment

Statistically, the Vikings improved their rushing average to 92 yards per game with Jones back, a jump of nearly 7 yards. That uptick helped the team stay in contention for a Wild Card spot as the season reaches its midway point. More importantly, the psychological boost of having a proven workhorse on the roster cannot be quantified, but the locker‑room chatter suggests morale is higher.

Analysts at Athlon Sports note that Jones’ presence eases pressure on the quarterback room. "If McCarthy can stay healthy, having Aaron as a reliable third‑down back will let him keep his arm in the game," wrote senior writer Matt Williamson.

What’s next for Minnesota?

The Vikings head to Minnesota‑Minnesota for a Week 9 showdown against the Seattle Seahawks. Assuming Jones stays healthy, O'Connell plans to integrate him into a balanced attack, mixing power runs with zone reads to keep the Seahawks’ defense guessing.

Meanwhile, the Chargers will look to tighten a defense that allowed 57 yards to a single back—still a respectable total, but one that could be exploited in future matchups.

Historical backdrop

Aaron Jones entered the league as a second‑round pick in 2017, carving out a reputation as a versatile, bruising back with a nose for the end zone. After seven productive seasons with the Packers, where he amassed more than 7,300 career rushing yards, he signed a two‑year, $18 million deal with Minnesota on March 14, 2025. The deal was meant to give the Vikings a marquee runner to complement their evolving passing attack.

Historically, the Vikings have struggled to retain elite backs; their last Pro Bowl running back before Jones was Adrian Peterson in 2012. If Jones can stay on the field through the season, he could become the first Vikings back to reach 1,000 yards in a season since Adrian’s 1,341 in 2012.