The Minnesota Vikings are welcoming back their starting running back just in time for prime time.
Aaron Jones (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve and is active against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.
In a corresponding move, Minnesota waived linebacker Kobe King. The Vikings also elevated guard Henry Byrd to the active roster from the practice squad.
Jones, who was listed as questionable coming into Thursday night, has missed the last four games due to the hamstring injury he suffered in Minnesota's Week 2 loss to Atlanta, leaving the Vikings with Jordan Mason and rookie Zavier Scott as their top two backfield options. Mason thrived in his first start in place of Jones, rushing 16 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Since then, the Vikings have owned a generally average-or-worse backfield, rushing for a per-game average of 85.3 yards as a team.
Jones' return should provide Minnesota with a notable boost. He rushed for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 -- good for his fourth 1,000-yard season in his career -- and figures to be an important part of its offense in both running and passing situations, especially when considering the Vikings are still playing with backup veteran quarterback Carson Wentz.
It isn't certain whether Jones will be on a monitored snap count in his first game back from injury. Regardless, his presence should open up more opportunities for a Vikings offense that enters Week 8 ranked 20th in yards per game.
