The Minnesota Vikings are treating running back Aaron Jones’ right hip injury as a week-to-week issue, coach Kevin O’Connell said on Tuesday.
Jones got hurt in the first quarter of the game on Sunday in London against the New York Jets and did not return. The Vikings (5-0), who are the only undefeated team left in the NFC, have started their bye week and will not play again until October 20 against Detroit.
“All the early information that we’ve got so far, it looks like we’ve avoided a long-term injury,” O’Connell said. He hopes Jones can start to practice again next week after getting treatment during the bye week, but it’s still unclear if he will be ready for the game against the Lions in Week 7.
After that, the Vikings will have a quick turnaround for an October 24 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Jones has gained 350 rushing yards and 167 receiving yards in his first five games with Minnesota, ranking eighth in the NFL for total yards from scrimmage.
Ty Chandler stepped up as the main running back while Jones is out.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Ty, really going back to last year when he really emerged for us like he did in the second half of last season,” O’Connell said.
