The Vikings’ Skipper Hints that MIN Will Explore an Add at 1 Skill Position

Maybe the running back depth isn’t formidable enough. Not with Jordan Mason on the IR and Aaron Jones coming off a hearty workload from within a bruising NFC North showdown.

So, the Vikings’ skipper thinks that there could be some need of more help.

Kevin O’Connell took some time for the media yesterday. The question focused on the sustainability of continuing to feature Jones so prominently. Check out how O’Connell framed things: “Yeah, we’re going to take a look at that. Nolan and I, we’re having some conversation right now, what the plan looks like for the week and obviously navigating this time while [Jordan Mason] down.”

The “Nolan” whom Coach O’Connell is referring to is GM Nolan Teasley, the front office executive who gets the final call on the 53-man roster. The hint is that Minnesota is at least considering making an addition to further enhance the running back position.

The Vikings’ Skipper Says a RB Could Be Needed

Mr. Jones has an excellent day at the office.

The elder statesman was equal measures patient and tough on Sunday, allowing him to be both bruising and slippery depending on what was needed. At the end of his day, Jones had carried the ball 23 times for 105 yards, working out to a healthy 4.6 yards-per-carry average. He didn’t earn any targets or touches in the passing game, but note that Carson Wentz only completed 11 passes, so there weren’t a pile of completions to go around.

Still, that’s a lot of work being put onto Aaron Jones. He has never been the world’s largest runner and now he’s among the NFL’s oldest runners. Limiting his workload makes a lot of sense given that he’s a key piece of the puzzle who is going to be needed for the team to succeed in January.

Does that need to ensure Jones keeps his legs and lungs fresh mean that the Vikings need to add? Possibly. It’s at least a conversation.

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Jones is the unquestioned RB1 with Mason hurt. He’s being supported by DeeJay Dallas (“try it”) alongside Demond Claiborne on the 53-man roster. Last week, the practice squad saw Jerome Ford tossed into the mix. So, too, does fullback Max Bredeson remain as an option for the ground game, though he’s somebody who is mostly looking to block rather than carry the rock.

Otherwise, some fringe options exist in the potential to use receivers such as Jordan Addison and Dillon Bell to carry the football. Justin Jefferson will sometimes line up in the backfield but that’s always been to get him onto a mismatch for a route while giving the defense some pre-snap confusion to chew on.

Moreover, there’s the potential for Kyler Murray to chew up yards with his legs. Expect the return of the QB1 to be a boost to Minnesota’s rushing total. Almost always, though, those ground yards are going to be the byproduct of scrambling on a passing play rather than Kevin O’Connell intentionally calling for a quarterback run with the undersized quarterback who is coming off a concussion.

Teasley and O’Connell will need to determine if the above talent is sufficient for these next few weeks.

In Week 6, the Vikings will get a bye. Mason will then be allowed to come off the IR for Week 7. What’s needed before arriving at that added help for the ground attack? That’s the key question that’s being asked. Three games are upcoming and the ground game has been critical to the Vikings’ early success.

Next up is a Week 3 game down in Tampa Bay. Look for Aaron Jones to again be a workhorse even if the Vikings do make an add.

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