The Minnesota Vikings struggled to generate much offensive consistency for the majority of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, but that wasn't their only concern.
Running back Aaron Jones was carted to the locker room after suffering an injury. The Vikings designated it as a chest injury and called him questionable to return.
Minnesota signed the veteran running back this offseason after he spent the first seven years of his career on the rival Green Bay Packers.
The move has worked nicely thus far, as he entered play with 565 rushing yards, 245 receiving yards and three total touchdowns through his first eight games. His presence is a major reason the Vikings went 6-2 in those first eight games, and he figures to be an important piece of the offense for the season's stretch run if he is healthy.
Jones has taken full advantage of the spacing that comes with playing in the same offense as Justin Jefferson, as defenses can only commit so many resources to slowing down the run with him on the outside.
While Minnesota doesn't have a running back with the ceiling of Jones, it will likely turn toward the combination of Cam Akers and Ty Chandler in the backfield while the starter is sidelined.
The Vikings traded for Akers earlier this season after he was previously with the Houston Texans. At his best, he posted 786 rushing yards and seven touchdowns during the 2022 campaign as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.
Chandler doesn't have as much experience as Akers since he has been in the league since 2022.
He was solid last season with 461 rushing yards and three touchdowns and can provide a one-two punch with Akers. Still, the ceiling of the offense is much lower when Jones is not on the field.
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