Will be nice to get A.Jones back

The #Vikings opened Aaron Jones’ practice window on Tuesday, and Kevin O’Connell sounded optimistic about the running back playing Thursday night against the Chargers.

”He’s a guy that you don't need to get out there and test too much because of his rehab and the work he's…

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) October 21, 2025

Can’t say I’ll be turning cartwheels over his return but he’ll definitely help in the passing game. Olson hit the nail on the head when he said our running game isn’t dynamic. Mason and a guy with speed next year. Could have had Tuten this year, but I know I get goosebumps watching Felton cover punts.

JustInTime wrote:

Can’t say I’ll be turning cartwheels over his return but he’ll definitely help in the passing game. Olson hit the nail on the head when he said our running game isn’t dynamic. Mason and a guy with speed next year. Could have had Tuten this year, but I know I get goosebumps watching Felton cover punts.

No, no cartwheels for me either...But he can help as u say, especially in the passing game. Tough for a LB to cover.  

Seems like Mason is a nice change of pace guy, as I expected...More of a chunk play here or there vs a field tilter.

Feels like Mason is much more likely to get 10 yard chunks than any of our other RBs. Not sure we have a guy that’s going to break it for 20+ on the ground. Seems like Jones is most likely to get the explosive plays (albeit in the air). That said, I think it’s hard to really differentiate between OLine play and RB performance.

Very glad he's coming back, he's a different type of RB than Mason...and has great hands along with solid receiver instincts.

Maybe a feeling of "getting the band back together" will help the team shake off the doldrums.

Zanary wrote:
Very glad he's coming back, he's a different type of RB than Mason...and has great hands along with solid receiver instincts.

Maybe a feeling of "getting the band back together" will help the team shake off the doldrums.

We still have to “get him the ball”. With what we saw from Wentz on Sunday, that is going to be interesting  :@

medaille wrote:
Feels like Mason is much more likely to get 10 yard chunks than any of our other RBs.  Not sure we have a guy that’s going to break it for 20+ on the ground.  Seems like Jones is most likely to get the explosive plays (albeit in the air).  That said, I think it’s hard to really differentiate between OLine play and RB performance.

Both of those guys can get those 10 yard chunks if the line can give them some holes. Jones hits the holes better than most backs and has some burst. Neither have the top end speed to go the distance, but that isn't needed in KO's system.
Both of those backs pick up the blitz pretty well and Jones is a reliable receiver out of the back field. His return will be an asset.
Next year I expect to see them draft his relacement.

JustInTime wrote:
Can’t say I’ll be turning cartwheels over his return but he’ll definitely help in the passing game. Olson hit the nail on the head when he said our running game isn’t dynamic. Mason and a guy with speed next year. Could have had Tuten this year, but I know I get goosebumps watching Felton cover punts.

That's about how I feel. Instead of "Mason and that UDFA," putting two guys in the backfield the defense needs to worry about could help loosen things up a bit. But at this point it kinda feels like getting the engine room working on the Titanic. Hey cool, but there's still a big hole in the boat.

hogjowlsjohnny wrote:

Both of those guys can get those 10 yard chunks if the line can give them some holes. Jones hits the holes better than most backs and has some burst. Neither have the top end speed to go the distance, but that isn't needed in KO's system.
Both of those backs pick up the blitz pretty well and Jones is a reliable receiver out of the back field. His return will be an asset.
Next year I expect to see them draft his relacement.

I agree with this. I think what gets lost is that Jones is a good pass blocking RB.  I have seen Mason actually miss quite a few blocks already this season, but he does hold his own when he's finding the rusher.

I'm glad to have Jonsie back.  He definitely gives us the ability to use multiple looks with multiple backs on the field at once.  If KO could figure out how to use both in the red zone correctly, maybe we score some more TDs.

Coach Kevin O’Connell said the Vikings don’t need to test Jones too much “because of his rehab and the work he’s done on the side fields. He’s a veteran player. He knows what he has to do. He knows what he needs to feel like.”

Jones, who turns 31 years old on Dec. 2, has missed the last four games after leaving the Sept. 14 loss to the Falcons in the third quarter with the muscle strain. He started the Vikings’ first two games ahead of Jordan Mason, but Mason has led the team in rushing yards each week.

Entering the season, coaches envisioned Jones having a larger role in the receiving game. He turned three passes into 44 yards and a touchdown in the Sept. 8 win in Chicago. On the ground, he has taken 13 carries for 46 rushing yards.

The Vikings offense ranks 17th in rushing with 4.4 yards per carry, led by Mason’s 84 carries for 380 yards (a 4.5-yard average). The Chargers have struggled to stop the run this season, ranking 28th while giving up 5.1 yards per carry.

Jones is among nine key Vikings contributors, including linebacker Blake Cashman, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, center Ryan Kelly and safety Harrison Smith, who have missed multiple games due to injury or illness.

STRIB

Curious what's going on with Ty Chandler. He went on IR after week one and it's now long past the required 4-week absence. Not that I'm expecting him to get snaps even when he's healthy, but it's a curious situation.

MaroonBells wrote:
Curious what's going on with Ty Chandler. He went on IR after week one and it's now long past the required 4-week absence. Not that I'm expecting him to get snaps even when he's healthy, but it's a curious situation.

Crickey...I forgot he was even on the squad. 

Someone tell me why Ham is still getting a roster spot? Is he playing that much or that good of a blocker for a middle of the road run game? 

Not to get too far ahead of my skis, but I wonder about whether Ham, Kelly, Jones, Theilen, Hargrave, Harry, Allen are all on the squad next year? Or on the squad under current contracts? Thats a lotta salary and a lot of age...

I think its a sure bet this team gets younger starting next season

purplefaithful wrote:

Crickey...I forgot he was even on the squad. 

Someone tell me why Ham is still getting a roster spot? Is he playing that much or that good of a blocker for a middle of the road run game? 

Not to get too far ahead of my skis, but I wonder about whether Ham, Kelly, Jones, Theilen, Hargrave, Harry, Allen are all on the squad next year? Or on the squad under current contracts? Thats a lotta salary and a lot of age...

I think its a sure bet this team gets younger starting next season

I would expect Allen, Hargrave and Kelly to be back (unless Kelly decides his brain has had enough) but I think Wentz, Ham, Jones, Thielen and Harry are likely gone. It's why talk of the Vikings having one of the older rosters is so misleading. The core isn't particularly old. We just have a handful of very old fringe players. In 2026, DePaola will be 39, Harry 37 and Thielen 36. Do they still have their teeth?

purplefaithful wrote:

Crickey...I forgot he was even on the squad. 

Someone tell me why Ham is still getting a roster spot? Is he playing that much or that good of a blocker for a middle of the road run game? 

Not to get too far ahead of my skis, but I wonder about whether Ham, Kelly, Jones, Theilen, Hargrave, Harry, Allen are all on the squad next year? Or on the squad under current contracts? Thats a lotta salary and a lot of age...

I think its a sure bet this team gets younger starting next season

Competitive rebuild...

purplefaithful wrote:

Crickey...I forgot he was even on the squad. 

Someone tell me why Ham is still getting a roster spot? Is he playing that much or that good of a blocker for a middle of the road run game? 

Not to get too far ahead of my skis, but I wonder about whether Ham, Kelly, Jones, Theilen, Hargrave, Harry, Allen are all on the squad next year? Or on the squad under current contracts? Thats a lotta salary and a lot of age...

I think its a sure bet this team gets younger starting next season

Ham's been on IR most of the year and then I believe he injured his hand or something.  He's only got 24 total offensive snaps so far.

MaroonBells wrote:

I would expect Allen, Hargrave and Kelly to be back (unless Kelly decides his brain has had enough) but I think Wentz, Ham, Jones, Thielen and Harry are likely gone. It's why talk of the Vikings having one of the older rosters is so misleading. The core isn't particularly old. We just have a handful of very old fringe players. In 2026, DePaola will be 39, Harry 37 and Thielen 36. Do they still have their teeth?

With the performance of Redmond, LDR and even rookie T I-D, maybe I'm wrong but I see the potential for both Allen and Hargrave being cut prior to next season.  One or both.  
I know Harry is gone, this was supposed to be his swan song anyway.
Wentz is a good veteran backup...who would you replace him with in today's market?  Brosmer?  Who backs up Brosmer?  I see him staying, albeit Brosmer has shown signs of being a viable #2.  He knows the playbook and realistically, his ceiling is what we've seen the last four games...a .500 level QB
Thielen has done well in blocking, pretty invisible in receiving...I could see him hanging up the cleats on his terms.  He was looking at one or two more seasons anyway.
Jones...he's had one full season playing all games w/o injury...last year.  His "Best Before" date looks to be this past January...prove me wrong Aaron.
I do believe Kelly is done...5 concussions; his family has to be concerned over CTE.  Brandel, given a full off-season to prepare as a C, is actually a potential replacement.  One huge error does not wipe out his potential that showed up against Cleveland.  
DePaola was playing at a Pro Bowl level last year (he is a three time Pro-Bowler at that position...22, 24 and 24).  It's not like he's in a position of serious wear and tear on his body.
Nailor might be gone, because he's gonna get paid somewhere coming off his rookie contract next season, and Tai Felton probably was drafted to be a likely replacement.  Looking at the numbers, Addison stays despite his personal bad judgement.

purplefaithful wrote:

Crickey...I forgot he was even on the squad. 

Someone tell me why Ham is still getting a roster spot? Is he playing that much or that good of a blocker for a middle of the road run game? 

Not to get too far ahead of my skis, but I wonder about whether Ham, Kelly, Jones, Theilen, Hargrave, Harry, Allen are all on the squad next year? Or on the squad under current contracts? Thats a lotta salary and a lot of age...

I think its a sure bet this team gets younger starting next season

Both Allen & Hargrave were signed to two year contracts. I do think it was another Kwesi error to sign both to two year contracts. One or the other would be acceptable. If I'm reading Over the Cap correctly, releasing Hargrave prior to June 1st would result in a $19M dead cap hit. It's even worse for Allen, a release prior to June 1st would result in a $23M dead cap hit.

purplefaithful wrote:

Crickey...I forgot he was even on the squad. 

Someone tell me why Ham is still getting a roster spot? Is he playing that much or that good of a blocker for a middle of the road run game? 

Not to get too far ahead of my skis, but I wonder about whether Ham, Kelly, Jones, Theilen, Hargrave, Harry, Allen are all on the squad next year? Or on the squad under current contracts? Thats a lotta salary and a lot of age...

I think its a sure bet this team gets younger starting next season

I've been wondering aloud why Ham is still on the team ever since Mike Zimmer left but most on this board are fans of his it seems. Chandler-- I forgot he was on the team too. Wish I could say the same for Nailor.

The lack of depth has really hurt this team in the early going. Hopefully we can get healthy and that weakness is less exposed.

Should we be expecting Van Ginkel back at all this year? Anyone ??  :s

pattersaur wrote:

I've been wondering aloud why Ham is still on the team ever since Mike Zimmer left but most on this board are fans of his it seems. Chandler-- I forgot he was on the team too. Wish I could say the same for Nailor.

The lack of depth has really hurt this team in the early going. Hopefully we can get healthy and that weakness is less exposed.

Should we be expecting Van Ginkel back at all this year? Anyone ??  :s

As we learned from Danielle Hunter's neck injury...

1) it's nothing to screw with...the neurological system and/or vertebrae take time to heal.  You cannot rush nor mask it.  I can speak first-hand to that as my wife has dealt with neurological/neck compression/five surgeries in five years (but she's still my Trophy Wife).
2). it is definitely possible to recover from such an injury and play at a high level (Hunter).

Knucklehead wrote:

Both Allen & Hargrave were signed to two year contracts. I do think it was another Kwesi error to sign both to two year contracts. One or the other would be acceptable. If I'm reading Over the Cap correctly, releasing Hargrave prior to June 1st would result in a $19M dead cap hit. It's even worse for Allen, a release prior to June 1st would result in a $23M dead cap hit.

Two awful signings, Dan Quinn a pretty great defensive coach had no interested in keeping Allen, somehow Kwesi thought he knew better.  We spent a lot of money this off season and not getting a decent return from it.