It’s been a rough season for the Minnesota Vikings, who are 4-8 coming into the last five games of the season. They were 4-4 after beating the Lions in Week 9, but they have dropped four straight games since then. They’ll look to turn it around this week as they host the Washington Commanders. Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason have split work in the backfield, but with Jones dealing with another injury, can Mason be a strong fantasy football option this week against Washington?
Let’s take a look at Minnesota’s backfield and whether it can be a key to finding you some fantasy football playoff success in the coming weeks.
Aaron Jones Injury Update
Jones missed four games earlier this season with a hamstring injury, but he returned in Week 8 against the Chargers in the first game he was eligible. He had three straight games with double-digit fantasy points in Week 9, Week 10 and Week 11, and was playing around two-thirds of the snaps once he ramped back up.
However, in Week 13, Jones left the Vikings’ loss to the Seahawks in the second half due to a shoulder injury and was not able return to the game. Before the injury, he struggled to register just three rushing yards on six carries, but did haul in all four of his targets for 22 receiving yards.
He has been battling an AC joint injury in the last few weeks, and he re-injured it when he was tackled from behind by DeMarcus Lawrence. After imaging on Monday, though, the team got good news.
Jordan Mason SZN Again?
While it isn’t a serious injury, it could still cost Jones a game, as it’s something he’s been dealing with for a few weeks. If Jones is out, Mason would be called on once again to step into an expanded role. From Week 3 through Week 7, when Jones was last sidelined, Mason played at least 60% of the team’s snaps and produced double-digit fantasy points in each of those four games, with a high point of 26.6 fantasy points against the Bengals in Week 3.
Mason has proven he can be a workhorse back in short-term situations and put up big performances. He had a similar run with the 49ers last year filling in for Christian McCaffrey, and he could be set for success in the coming weeks, if Jones is out.
One key to the Vikings offense providing value for anyone is the status of starting QB J.J. McCarthy, who appears to be on track to return this week after a concussion left Max Brosmer as the team’s starter for their tough loss in Seattle. Keep an eye on McCarthy’s status, as things were bleak without him. The Vikings didn’t look like they could get much going for either running back to be viable for fantasy.
The Bottom Line
The Vikings have favorable matchups for running backs coming up with the Commanders, Cowboys and Giants over the next three weeks. If Jones misses any or all of those games, Mason will be a strong RB2 with true RB1 upside. If Jones is back, he’ll be a solid FLEX play with good RB2 upside, especially since he’s so involved as a receiver out of the backfield.
In DFS fantasy football contests, like the NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st], Jordan Mason would be a top value play at $5,800 if Jones is out against the Commanders, who have given up the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Even if Jones is available but limited, Mason would have good value potential in a more featured role. If Jones is a full-go, he is also an interesting value play at $5,300.
