The Minnesota Vikings may be preparing for another marquee road test this weekend, but the biggest news from Wednesday’s practice report involved veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Jones will not practice Wednesday as he continues to work through a knee issue, though the Vikings remain hopeful the veteran leader can be available Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s a 3:05 p.m. Central kickoff.
“Aaron Jones won’t practice today,” O’Connell said, while noting the team is taking a day-to-day approach. “Still want to give them the opportunity to work through it and have a chance to play this week.”
**_\*\*\*Click the video box above to watch O’Connell’s media session from Wed. Sept. 23\*\*\*_**
The Vikings coach later emphasized that Jones is feeling good despite the missed practice.
“He’s bouncing around the building like normal,” O’Connell said. “It’s more so the knee of just allowing that thing to turn over. He feels pretty good. We’ll just keep getting treatment around the clock and see if we can pick up his workload as the week goes on.”
O’Connell made it clear just how valuable Jones has become to Minnesota’s locker room and culture since arriving last season.
“Aaron is one of one,” O’Connell said. “He’s a really good football player and just as good as it gets from a leadership and kind of establishing the standard of what we want Minnesota Vikings players to look like.”
If Jones is limited later in the week, Minnesota feels comfortable with its depth. O’Connell pointed to Deejay Dallas and Demond Claiborne as players who could see expanded opportunities, while recent practice squad additions Jerome Ford and Jaret Patterson provide further depth.
Before discussing injuries, O’Connell opened his session by congratulating cornerback Isaiah Rogers after his game-changing blocked field goal helped secure Sunday’s win and earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
“Super deserving,” O’Connell said. “What a play he made considering all the factors in the moment of the game. It was just spectacular.”
The Vikings enter Sunday’s matchup looking to continue a strong start, but O’Connell repeatedly stressed the challenge that awaits in Tampa Bay.
“Another road game, another very, very significant challenge,” he said. “A really good football team.”
O’Connell expressed particular admiration for Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, whom he spent time with during the offseason.
“I think the world of him as a competitor,” O’Connell said. “We know we’re going to get the best version of the Bucs.”
He described Mayfield as one of the league’s toughest quarterbacks to defend because of his competitiveness and ability to create when plays break down.
“Until he’s off the field and the punt team’s on, or until you’ve truly gotten him off the field and ended the drive, he’s going to make the play,” O’Connell said.