Minnesota is getting Kyler Murray back, but injuries could leave the Vikings dangerously thin at running back against Tampa Bay.
The Minnesota Vikings have already dealt with significant injuries at major positions this season. They’ll finally get their quarterback back in Week 3, with Kyler Murray set to make his return, but that comes as another key piece of the offense is dealing with an injury of his own.
Running back Aaron Jones Sr. did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to a knee injury as Minnesota began preparations for Sunday’s road matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Jordan Mason already on injured reserve, Jones’ status could completely change the outlook of Minnesota’s offense this week.
The concern goes even deeper than that. DeeJay Dallas, who was promoted to the active roster following Mason’s move to injured reserve, was limited in Wednesday’s practice with a toe injury.
That suddenly creates a scenario in which the Vikings could be without three of their top running back options on Sunday.
Minnesota has taken steps to give itself additional depth. Jerome Ford remains on the practice squad, while Jaret Patterson was signed earlier this week. Those moves initially looked like relatively minor depth additions, but they could become extremely important depending on how the injury report develops over the next few days.
Murray’s return should help the Vikings’ rushing attack to some degree because of what he can provide with his legs. But if Jones and Dallas are both unable to play, there’s a legitimate possibility that Minnesota’s quarterback could also be one of its most dangerous rushing threats against Tampa Bay.
The injury concerns aren’t limited to the backfield, either.
Right tackle Brian O’Neill was limited Wednesday because of a knee injury, while center Nick Samac was also limited with a knee issue. Any additional losses along the offensive line would only make an already complicated situation in the backfield more difficult to navigate.
For now, Wednesday serves as only the first checkpoint of the week.
Thursday and Friday’s practices should provide significantly more clarity on Jones, Dallas and the rest of Minnesota’s injured players. But with Murray finally returning to the lineup, the health of the Vikings’ backfield has quickly become the biggest offensive storyline to monitor heading into Sunday.
The hope is that Jones is ready to go by then and can carry a heavy load. But bigger picture, as an older running back, this could become a common theme with the Vikings until Mason is back from the IR.
