The Minnesota Vikings and their fans can exhale, as it appears that star running back Aaron Jones is just fine.
The 29-year-old left Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after being tackled hard by Jags defenders Travon Walker and Foyesade Oluokun on a seven-yard run. Jones popped up and started heading for the sideline before falling to the ground, holding his midsection.
Jones was later seen being carted off the sideline to the locker room but explained on "Up & Adams" on Monday that the only reason that happened was because the X-ray machine in Jacksonville was on the "whole other side of the stadium."
Jones did return near the end of the game, logging two more carries for nine yards to bring his total for the day to 17 carries for 88 yards (5.2 yards per carry).
Fortunately, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Jones is “feeling pretty good," although he's still considered day-to-day with a rib injury.
Still, the coach expressed optimism about Jones' chances to play this weekend against the Tennessee Titans.
The veteran tailback has been a crucial piece of Minnesota's offense this season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and 9.2 yards per catch. As of Monday, he's tallied 911 all-purpose yards this season (101.2 per game), ranking 11th in the NFL.
Without him, backup running back Cam Akers averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on Sunday, and Ty Chandler has averaged less than 3 yards per carry for most of the season.
Thankfully, it appears Jones avoided something serious and should be back in the backfield this weekend.
