The Minnesota Vikings are getting closer to having Jordan Mason back in the mix.
Minnesota entered its Week 6 bye at 5-0 and now turns its attention to Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium.
A key part of that next step is Mason, who has been on injured reserve since Week 2 with a thumb injury. On Monday, the Vikings designated him for return, opening his 21-day practice window.
That move puts Minnesota on the clock. The team now has 21 days to activate Mason from injured reserve to the 53-man roster, or he will stay on IR for the rest of the season. The expectation has been that he could be back this weekend against the Colts.
Mason’s injury first came up the day after Minnesota beat the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, when Kevin O’Connell described it as a “sore thumb.” The next day, the Vikings brought in three running backs for workouts: Jerome Ford, Kenny McIntosh and Ulysses Bentley.
Then on Sept. 16, Mason was placed on IR, DeeJay Dallas was signed to the 53-man roster and Ford joined the practice squad.
By NFL rule, Mason has now missed the four games required for a player on injured reserve.
The return timeline has gained traction this week. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported optimism that Mason will be ready to play against the Colts, and Mason is expected back at practice on Wednesday.
Aaron Jones Sr. has shouldered most of the load while Mason has been out. In four of Minnesota’s five games this season, Jones handled the backfield almost by himself, taking 97 of the team’s 152 rushing attempts.
Overall, he has turned 152 carries into 410 yards, a 4.2-yard average, and two touchdowns. He has also added 12 receptions for 72 yards.
Jones’ workload spiked once Mason was sidelined. He logged 12 carries in Week 1, then 23 at Chicago, 17 at Tampa Bay, 20 against Miami and 25 at New Orleans.
Mason’s own production before the injury gave the Vikings a different kind of element. In the opener against Green Bay, he ran 15 times for 59 yards, averaged 3.9 yards per carry and scored a touchdown.
He also broke off a 28-yard run. After Minnesota traded for him in March 2025, Mason rushed for 758 yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries last season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry in 16 games.
That included a big day against Cincinnati on Sept. 21, 2025, when he ran for 116 yards and two scores on 16 carries.
If Mason is indeed nearing a return, it would matter for more than just depth. The Vikings have not found much behind Jones.
Demond Claiborne has six carries for 13 yards, while Dallas has three carries for 10 yards and four catches for 34 yards. The message from the first month of the season has been clear: Kevin O’Connell has not shown much trust in the other backs on the roster.
Minnesota’s team rushing numbers reflect that reality. The Vikings rank 19th in the NFL with 580 rushing yards, are tied for 19th at 3.8 yards per carry and are tied for 24th with three rushing touchdowns.
O’Connell’s Wednesday press conference should provide the next update on Mason’s status.
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