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Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones was excluded from the team's injury report on Friday (January 3) and is expected to play in Sunday's (January 5) game against the Detroit Lions.
Jones, 30, is dealing with a quad injury suffered in last week's win against the Green Bay Packers, his former team, but will be available for the Sunday Night Football matchup, which will determine the NFC North Division champion and No. 1 seed in the NFC. The veteran running back has recorded 1,093 yards -- 28 yards shy of his career-best total of 1,121 in 2022 -- and five touchdowns on a career-high 245 rushing attempts, as well as 46 receptions for 378 yards and two touchdowns.
Jones signed a one-year with the Vikings as a free agent this past offseason after spending his entire career with the NFC North Division rival Packers. The veteran running back declined taking a pay cut from Greem Bay, who traded for fellow running back Josh Jacobs prior to his release.
The Vikings quickly signed Jones to a $7 million contract, which has turned out to be an ideal situation for both sides. The veteran running back is on pace to play in all 17 games for the second time entering the crucial Sunday Night Football matchup.
Jones has recorded 1,093 yards -- 28 yards shy of his career-best total of 1,121 in 2022 -- and five touchdowns on a career-high 245 rushing attempts, as well as 46 receptions for 378 yards and two touchdowns. The veteran back is also six snaps shy of setting a new career-high.
"Last year I missed a handful of games and played through injury as well," Jones said via ESPN. "With that I guess the narrative got out that 'He's injury-prone and constantly injured. ... [This season], I'm letting guys know that whatever I go through throughout the week, or in that game, I'm going to be ready the following Sunday."