Is RB Aaron Jones Playing Today vs. the Lions?

The Minnesota Vikings are fighting for respect and to maintain their undefeated record Sunday when they travel to Detroit to take on the division rival Lions at Ford Field.

The Vikings (6-0) have been diminished by a number of critics because they have failed to deliver an offensive attack that has been able to carry its weight most weeks. The Vikings have the best defense in the league, but QB Kyler Murray and the offense ranks 29th in yards gained per game.

The Vikings are averaging 281.7 yards per game and they have only had one solid offensive game this season. That came in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints when Murray completed his first 12 passes and went 24 of 30 for 229 yards with 1 TD pass. Running back Aaron Jones ran for 113 yards against the Saints.

Jones has been competing with an MCL injury, and he aggravated that issue in the Vikings’ Week 7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Jones was on the injury report throughout the week and he was limited in practice.

It appeared he might be inactive against the Lions and the running back chores would be left to Jordan Mason. However, Jones is active for the game, and it seems quite likely that he will split the RB duties with Mason.

Mason is the team’s power back and he can pick up key yards when he runs between the tackles. Jones has a bit more quickness — at least when he is healthy — and he is capable of running to the outside and also serving as a receiver out of the backfield.

The Vikings would like to establish a ball-control game against the Lions in an effort to keep Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown off the field.

Jones is not likely to get more than 15 touches in this game, but he could play a key role. Having him on the active list is a positive development for the Vikings.