Vikings get good news on RB Jordan Mason on potential IR return date originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Through the first five weeks of the 2026 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings are 5-0. No team has a better record than them, and only the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs remain as undefeated teams.
But the Vikings aren't typically viewed as being on the same level as those teams thanks to their struggling offense. Kyler Murray hasn't taken flight just yet, and there are some issues the team is dealing with right now as well.
However, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler revealed that Jordan Mason, who's been on injured reserve since Week 2, is set to return from IR very soon, potentially as soon as Week 7 right after the team's Week 6 bye.
Vikings have hope Jordan Mason returns from IR in Week 7
"Minnesota hops to get Jordan Mason (injured reserve, thumb) back in Week 7, post-bye," Fowler reports.
This news for the Vikings is great, as it's clear that Mason, at the very least, has a chance to come off IR for the team's Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Aaron Jones Sr. has managed this backfield in Mason's absence, but as a veteran running back who's dealt with his fair share of injury issues, Jones is not someone the Vikings want to keep relying on in such a big role going forward.
Being able to split this backfield between Jones and Mason would make the Vikings' offense a lot more exciting.
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With Week 6 being a bye, the Vikings are giving Mason a chance to return from IR after missing four games, but five weeks total.
Mason ran for 59 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts in Week 1, and is coming off a 2025 season where he ran for 758 yards and six touchdowns on 159 attempts in a split backfield with Jones.
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones Sr., and Jordan Mason all might be back and on the field together in Week 7, coming out of the bye.
This offense might finally be back at full strength, as Fowler's report indicates the Vikings' RB2 has a chance to come off IR for the Vikings' Week 7.
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