Minnesota's star running back skipped practice, but his coach says it's too early to panic about Sunday.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones did not practice Wednesday, October 28, 2026, because of a knee injury, as Minnesota began preparing for its Week 8 road game against the Detroit Lions. The team listed him as day-to-day, not ruled out, leaving his status for Sunday still unsettled.
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Aaron Jones Knee Injury Sidelines Him at Wednesday Practice
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The Vikings' first injury report of Week 8 showed Jones and guard Joe Huber both absent from practice because of knee problems. Minnesota did not attach a game status to either player, which is normal early in the week since the NFL requires teams to finalize designations closer to kickoff.
Jones' absence came just days after Minnesota beat the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. He left that game late in the fourth quarter following a 17-yard run, and head coach Kevin O'Connell later described him as day-to-day. That same cautious label carried into the start of Lions week, suggesting the team wanted more time before making any final call.
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Sprained MCL Has Lingered Since Week 2
This isn't a brand-new issue for Jones. According to NBC Sports, he has been playing through a sprained MCL in the same knee since Week 2 of the season. He appeared to aggravate that existing injury during the Colts game, which is likely why Minnesota chose to hold him out of practice entirely rather than push through soreness again.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday, October 26, that Jones was considered day-to-day, a sign the team already expected to manage his workload carefully heading into the Lions matchup. The Wednesday absence lined up with that earlier report and reinforced that the Vikings were treating this as an ongoing issue rather than a sudden setback.
Kevin O'Connell Addresses Jones and Huber Together
Speaking to reporters, O'Connell gave a short but direct update on both injured players. "Injury update-wise, Aaron Jones and Joe Huber will not practice today. We'll see how they feel tomorrow," he said. The comment reflected a wait-and-see approach rather than any immediate concern about a long-term absence.
O'Connell also addressed Huber's situation, which emerged as a bit of a surprise since it wasn't connected to Jones' ongoing MCL issue. "Joe really just had some knee soreness kind of pop up post-game, and as we've gotten into the early part of the week, not overly concerned about it. We just want to give him another day and then see what his workweek looks like as we press onward," O'Connell said. Huber had stepped into the starting left guard role, so his health adds another layer to Minnesota's injury picture heading into Detroit.
What It Means for Minnesota's Offense
Jones has been a key piece of Minnesota's offense this season, with contemporaneous coverage crediting him with 436 rushing yards on 105 carries. Losing him, even temporarily, would force the Vikings to lean more heavily on other backs and adjust how they build their game plan against Detroit's defense. The team's coaching staff has signaled confidence in its depth at the position, with reporting indicating O'Connell does not view a potential Jones absence as a major alarm.
Still, a recurring MCL sprain is the kind of injury that can flare up again even after a player returns to action. That reality means Minnesota may manage Jones carefully for the rest of the season, whether that means a lighter practice schedule, reduced carries in games, or occasional rest weeks depending on how the knee responds.
Next Steps Before Sunday's Game
The clearest signal about Jones' availability will come from Thursday's practice report. O'Connell said the team would evaluate how both Jones and Huber felt the next day, which typically determines whether a player moves from "did not practice" to "limited" or even "full" participation by Friday.
Until the Vikings release their final injury report before the Lions game, Jones' exact status remains unconfirmed. Three outcomes are realistically in play: he returns to full practice and plays Sunday, he's limited in practice but still active, or Minnesota decides to sit him out entirely to protect the knee for the long run. No imaging results, injury grade, or final roster decision had been made public as of Wednesday's report.
