Jordan Mason ($5,200) has missed the last four games with a broken thumb, but the back is set to return to practice Wednesday, ahead of Sunday’s matchup vs. the Colts.
Mason remans on IR, but him being activated and making his return Sunday is a strong possibility, especially when you consider his injury was to his thumb and not something more serious.
With Mason out for the last four games, Aaron Jones ($6,200) has been the Vikings’ featured back, and he has been great in the role, averaging 17.1 FPTS per game. However, if Mason returns this Sunday, how valuable will Jones still be for fantasy?
Aaron Jones’ Fantasy Outlook for Week 7
Jones has played five games with Mason inactive the last two seasons and Jones has been a workhorse back in these contests, averaging 20.6 carries per game on a 77.4% snap rate. Although, things have been much different with Mason active.
In the 12 games Jones and Mason have played together the last two seasons, Jones is averaging 10.5 carries per game on a 53% snap rate. In Week 1 of this season, Mason out carried Jones 15 attempts to 12.
Overall, Jones is scoring 9.5 FPTS per game with Mason active, which is a big drop from the 15.3 FPTS per game Jones is averaging with Mason inactive.
If Mason returns this Sunday vs. the Colts, it will likely be a near even split between he and Jones. 10-15 touches is a fair expectation for Jones, and while this is a great matchup, as Indianapolis is allowing the fifth-most yards per rush this season (4.8), Jones will be a far less appealing play than he has been the last few weeks.
Could Jones still provide a decent fantasy score? Absolutely. The veteran will still be a viable FLEX play if Mason suits up, but our expectations will need to be tempered, as Jones’ upside will be much lower and his range out outcomes will be much more varied.
