Aaron Jones Injury Update: When Will RB Return to Vikings?

The Minnesota Vikings and fantasy football owners are anxiously awaiting the return of RB Aaron Jones. Jones suffered a hamstring injury in a Week 2 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Below, we will deliver a Jones injury update and look at when he will return to the Vikings lineup. We will also explore Vikings betting odds.

🏥 When will Aaron Jones return and be back with Vikings?

The Vikings placed Jones on injured reserve on Sept. 16. Per NFL rules, Jones must miss four games. Bye weeks do not count toward a "game."

Minnesota has its bye week in Week 6, so Jones won't be eligible to return until Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football.

Jones’ injury was dubbed a “hamstring injury” by the team. The Vikings did not specify whether it was a hamstring strain or partial tear. 

Jones appears to be on track to return as soon as he is eligible, so conventional wisdom would suggest it was a mild strain. 

Here is the Vikings’ schedule around the time that Jones is expected to be back in uniform with the Vikings.

• Week 8 Thursday, Oct. 23: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 9 Sunday, Nov. 2: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
• Week 10 Sunday, Nov. 9: Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings

⏳ How long will Aaron Jones be out for?

The recovery time for a mild hamstring strain is typically 1-3 weeks, while the recovery time for a partial hamstring tear is 3-to-8 weeks. 

A decent comp for Jones’ situation is in regards to former New Orleans Saints RB Jamaal Williams. In Week 2 of the 2023 season, Williams suffered a hamstring injury. He was out a total of 32 days in between the game he was injured in and the game in which he returned.

Jones has already been out 23 days.

🏈 Aaron Jones fantasy football outlook

Jones was typically going off fantasy football draft boards around Round 5 in 12-team PPR leagues. 

Jones has been a threat to rush for over 1,000 yards, pending good health, every season since 2019. Last season was his first campaign in Minnesota, and he rushed for a career-high 1,138 yards. He also found the end zone five times on the ground for the Vikings last season.

🟣 Vikings betting odds

The latest Super Bowl odds show the Vikings at +5500. Minnesota opened the season with +3000 odds at the best NFL betting sites.

The Vikings’ current win total is set at 7.5 wins. Kevin O’Connell’s club is currently +1100 to win the NFC North.