The Minnesota Vikings are heading into a pivotal Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions with a backfield that’s suddenly looking a little thin. Already expected to be without rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the team is now preparing for the likely absence of running back Jordan Mason, who suffered an ankle injury during the Week 16 win over the New York Giants.
Mason left that game early and didn’t return-even after Aaron Jones, his backfield counterpart, also got dinged up. While the team hasn’t officially ruled Mason out, the outlook isn’t promising. According to reports, he’s a “longshot” to suit up for the Christmas Day clash in Detroit.
Jones, meanwhile, is listed as questionable. He was limited in Monday’s practice, but there’s more optimism surrounding his availability. If things trend upward, the veteran back could be in line for a heavier workload.
That’s not unfamiliar territory for Jones, who has gradually reclaimed lead-back duties since returning from a four-game absence back in Week 8. While Mason had been the Vikings’ most productive rusher through much of the season-leading the team in rushing in eight of their 15 games-his role has diminished in recent weeks as Jones has ramped back up.
Since Week 8, Mason has logged fewer than 30% of offensive snaps in six of eight games. Meanwhile, Jones has been on the field for over 55% of the snaps in five of his last seven outings. The shift has been steady, and now with Mason likely sidelined, Jones appears poised to carry the load once again-assuming his health holds up.
For Mason, the injury comes at a tough time. He was on pace to eclipse his career-high 789 rushing yards from 2024, but now that milestone is in jeopardy. Still, he’s managed to put together a strong campaign, notching a personal-best six touchdowns-nearly half of his career total.
If Mason can’t go and Jones is limited, the Vikings may need to lean on undrafted rookie Zavier Scott, who has seen limited action this season but did flash briefly back in Week 8 with a 16-yard effort on just two carries. He’s next in line on the depth chart and could find himself in a meaningful supporting role.
With playoff implications hanging in the balance, Minnesota’s ability to establish the run-something that’s been up and down all year-will be tested against a tough Lions front. Whether it’s Jones, Scott, or a mix of both, the Vikings will need someone to step up in Mason’s absence.