The Minnesota Vikings came out of their Week 6 bye at 5-0, and they’ll try to extend their undefeated streak Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium.
For four of the five games so far this season, veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr. has carried the backfield load in Minnesota, taking 97 of the team’s 152 rushing attempts.
Minnesota Vikings designate Jordan Mason for return from IR
That’s because his partner in crime, Jordan Mason, has been in injured reserve since Week 2 with a thumb injury. On Monday, however, the MN Vikings designated Mason to return from IR, initiating his 21-day practice window.
RB Jordan Mason has been Designated for Return; Return to Practice. pic.twitter.com/rpoiFzEBC2
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 19, 2026
Related: MN Vikings Trying to Trade for Running Back?
The Minnesota Vikings how have 21 days to activate Mason from Injured Reserve and onto the 53-man roster, or he reverts to IR for the rest of the season. The expectation since he went out with injury was that he’d return this weekend against the Colts.
Mason’s thumb injury first surfaced the day after Minnesota’s Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers, when Kevin O’Connell said he had a “sore thumb.” The next day, the Vikings worked out three running backs, Jerome Ford, Kenny McIntosh and Ulysses Bentley.
Jordan Mason could be back for Vikings vs Colts
On Sept. 16, Mason landed on IR, DeeJay Dallas was signed to the 53-man roster and Ford joined the practice squad. Mason has since missed the four games mandated by NFL rules for players placed on injured reserve.
Thus, it is no surprise that Jordan Mason is expected back at practice on Wednesday. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert has also reported optimism surrounding his chances to play against the Colts.
The Vikings have designated RB Jordan Mason (finger/hand) for return from IR and he will practice Wednesday. Lots of optimism he will be ready for Sunday’s game.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 19, 2026
Related: MN Vikings Backfill Practice Squad; Sign Two Intriguing RBs
Aaron Jones has turned his 152 carries this season into 410 yards (4.2 per carry) and two touchdowns. He’s also added 12 catches for 72 yards receiving.
What Jordan Mason’s return means for Aaron Jones and the Vikings run game
His workload skyrocketed after Mason went out. Jones took 12 carries in Week 1, then 23 at Chicago, 17 at Tampa Bay, 20 against Miami and 25 at New Orleans.
In the opener, Mason ran 15 times for 59 yards (3.9 per carry) and a touchdown against Green Bay, with a long of 28, per ESPN. After the Vikings traded for him in March 2025, he ran for 758 yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries (4.8 per carry) in 16 games last season, including 116 yards and two scores on 16 carries against Cincinnati on Sept. 21, 2025.
Jordan Mason with the 28 yard run to the Packers 11 yard line
— False Finish (@FalseFinishHQ) September 13, 2026
#SKOL#GBvsMINpic.twitter.com/33A1eVPBWf
Demond Claiborne has six carries for 13 yards, and Dallas has three carries for 10 yards to go with four catches for 34 yards. If one thing was made painfully clear when Mason went out it’s that head coach Kevin O’Connell doesn’t trust any of the other backs on roster.
As a team, Minnesota ranks 19th in the NFL in rushing yards (580) and is tied for 19th at 3.8 yards per carry. The Vikings’ three rushing touchdowns are tied for 24th. O’Connell’s Wednesday press conference should provide the next update on Mason’s status.