The Minnesota Vikings got the kind of Friday injury report they were hoping for ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tampa Bay.
Aaron Jones, who had been a question mark all week after taking 23 carries and hurting his knee in Chicago, was not given a game status on the final Week 3 report. That leaves him expected to be ready for the Buccaneers.
That’s a huge lift for a Vikings backfield that is already thin with Jordan Mason still on injured reserve. Jones’ workload last week wasn’t just heavy - it was the most carries he’s had in a game as a Viking, and his highest total since November 2022 with the Packers.
Jones made it clear he felt good about his chances all along, saying: “I finished the game in Chicago so in my mind I was always good to go for this week.”
Minnesota’s injury list, overall, came out looking far cleaner by Friday. Rookie linebacker Jake Golday, backup running back DeeJay Dallas and defensive lineman Jalen Redmond all went from limited or non-participation earlier in the week to full participation and no game designation.
The Vikings did have a couple of absences to note. Punter Brett Thorson was ruled out with a hamstring injury, and depth center Nick Samac was also listed as out.
That opens the door for veteran Johnny Hekker, who signed with the practice squad this week and can be elevated for Sunday. Hekker, 36, has played in 229 career games, with a gross average of 46.8 yards and a net average of 42.6 yards per punt. He also spent the offseason in Minnesota competing with Thorson for the job he ultimately didn’t win.
Hekker is expected to handle holding duties for kicker Will Reichard as well. Thorson had that role on three field goal attempts in Chicago, though Hekker had done the job for Reichard for much of camp before Thorson emerged as a real challenger.
Minnesota also got reassuring signs from a few other key names. Christian Darrisaw and Harrison Smith both had rest days Friday, but they’re good to go for Week 3. Brian O’Neill, dealing with a knee issue, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, who was limited by an oblique injury earlier in the week, both finished as full participants with no designation.
On Tampa Bay’s side, the Buccaneers ruled out two rookie defenders: outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. with a groin injury and linebacker Josiah Trotter with a shoulder injury. Baker Mayfield, who showed up on the report with an illness, was a full participant throughout the week.
The Bucs are also trying to shake off a rough start. Minnesota comes in at 2-0, while Tampa Bay is 0-2 and off to its first 0-2 start in 12 seasons.
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