Aaron Jones' hamstring injury will keep him out for longer than just Week 3.
The Minnesota Vikings are placing Jones on injured reserve, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, adding another injury woe to a suddenly depleted offense.
The team is also signing running back Cam Akers to the practice squad, Pelissero and Rapoport reported.
Jones was injured during Sunday night’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters on Monday the veteran back would miss the team's Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Now, Jones will be out through at least Week 7. The Vikings host the Bengals on Sunday, travel to Ireland to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 28, head to London for an Oct. 5 game against the Cleveland Browns, have their bye in Week 6 and then host the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 19.
With Jones out, Jordan Mason is now the unquestioned RB1 for the Vikings.
Mason has been the team's leading rusher in both of Minnesota's games, tallying 24 carries for 98 yards on 45 snaps. Jones, meanwhile, heads to IR with 13 carries for 46 yards on 43 snaps so far this season. He had eight carries for 23 yards in Sunday's 22-6 loss as the Vikings dropped to 1-1 and concern mounted on the offensive front.
This is a major hit to a rapidly beleaguered Vikings offense.
Starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is likely to miss the game versus Cincinnati with a high ankle sprain. Starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw has yet to play this season as he's coming back from an ACL tear, his replacement Justin Skule is in concussion protocol and, so too, is starting center Ryan Kelly. Wide receiver Jordan Addison also has one more game left on his suspension for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.
Since rallying for a dramatic win over the Chicago Bears in Week 1, the Vikings have encountered some difficulties, with Jones' status the latest.
