The Vikings offense returned a team captain at Tuesday’s practice.
Running back **Aaron Jones**‘ three-week practice window has officially started while on injured reserve. He’s eligible to play on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers if he’s cleared by the medical and coaching staffs while recovering from a hamstring injury. His practice reps were limited on Tuesday.
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.
Right tackle **Brian O’Neill** (right knee) and fullback **C.J. Ham** (left hand) were held out of the team’s first practice of a short week. O’Neill played all 69 snaps against the Eagles after missing one game due to the Sept. 28 MCL sprain. Ham and running back **Zavier Scott**, who was limited by a wrist injury, were injured against the Eagles.