Jordan

Mason

Mason scored the Vikings’ lone rushing touchdown of the day when he scampered for an eight-yard score on the second possession of the game. Mason’s touchdown capped a 19-play, 98-yard drive for the Vikings, who scored on back-to-back possessions to grab an early 14-0 lead. He continues to split touches with Aaron Jones and will be a touchdown-dependent RB3 in Week 15 against the Cowboys.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jones “is likely to be considered day-to-day” with his injury. Jones exited in the third quarter of Sunday’s shutout loss to the Seahawks and didn’t return to the field. The phrasing in Schefter’s report suggests the Vikings are still waiting to get a final word on Jones’ injury, but it sounds like he avoided the worst. If he is day-to-day, Jones will have a chance to suit up in Week 14 when the Vikings face the Commanders this week, but if he’s unable to go, we can expect Jordan Mason to step into a lead role with Zavier Scott likely working in on passing downs.

Scott could see an increased role in Week 14 if Aaron Jones misses time with the shoulder injury he sustained in the second half of the team’s loss against Seattle. Jones has a history of shoulder ailments and was quickly pulled from the game. Jordan Mason would likely take over as the Vikings’ lead back, but it could be Scott who takes on the pass-catching tole with Jones sidelined. Scott had a six-catch game in Week 3 with Jones out. He should be picked up in deeper leagues.

Mason acquitted himself well in this one after Aaron Jones went down with an apparently serious shoulder injury. Mason averaged nearly eight yards per rush in relief of Jones after being relegated to purely breather back status in recent weeks. Mason would presumably function as the Vikings’ lead back if Jones were to miss time, though he would probably lose pass-catching work, making him a game script-sensitive fantasy option. He’ll be a viable flex in Week 14 against a generous Washington defense.

Jones was tackled hard from behind at the tail end of a screen play in the third quarter. He writhed on the ground for a while and reportedly refused to enter the blue medical tent before conceding to team trainers a few minutes later. It would be shocking if Jones — who has a long history of shoulder injuries — doesn’t miss time with this injury. Jordan Mason, who has been relegated to breather back status in recent weeks, would likely take over the lead back role. It’s not much of a role in a miserable Vikings offense. Before leaving, Jones had six carries for three yards, adding four catches for 22 yards on four targets.

Mason only played 12 snaps, but the Vikings were bent on #EstablishingIt early in the game, with Mason having a game-best 22-yard carry on their longest drive of the day. It unfortunately led to a cataclysmic fourth-down go in the second quarter where Mason was stuffed. He was scarce in comeback mode. Mason will be well off the FLEX radar against a good Seahawks defense in Week 13.

Mason scored on an inside-the-ten carry but otherwise conceded control of the backfield to Aaron Jones, who had 16 rushes and three catches on six targets while running far more routes than Mason. With 24 rushing attempts over his past four games, Mason is little more than a contingency option for now. He should be stashed in most leagues ahead of Week 12.

Jones again functioned as the team’s lead back over Jordan Mason, who had six carries and scored the Vikings’ lone rushing touchdown. Jones ran 19 routes to just six for Jones. Jones has asserted himself as the clear RB1 for a run-first Minnesota offense that doesn’t see a lot of positive and neutral game script thanks mostly to J.J. McCarthy’s poor play. Jones, who has 34 carries over the past three games, will be a top-24 option in Week 12 against the Packers.

Jones suffered an AC joint sprain in Week 9. The injury is believed to be minor, but a DNP to open the week suggests it could sideline him for at least one game. As if things couldn’t get worse, Jones is also dealing with a toe injury, though it doesn’t sound like that would be the reason for him to miss Week 10. If he is ruled out, Jordan Mason will take over the backfield once again, putting him on the RB2/3 border.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds that Jones “believes he’ll be able to play next week,” though he will undoubtedly undergo further testing and the medical team will make the final assessment. The AC joint connects the clavicle to the shoulder, which obviously makes grinding through contact difficult when it is injured. His teammate, RB Jordan Mason, attempted to play through an AC joint sprain suffered in Week 6, with the 49ers, last year but re-injured it in Week 8. Jones could certainly be active next week against the Ravens, but Mason must be rostered everywhere. Stay tuned.