Minnesota Vikings star running back Aaron Jones has left his team’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to injury.
It happened on a first-down run with roughly 4:30 left in the third quarter.
Jones was tackled hard by Jags defenders Travon Walker and Foyesade Oluokun after a seven-yard gain to the Jacksonville 28-yard line. Jones then popped up and started heading for the sideline before falling to the ground, holding his midsection.
The 29-year-old has been huge for Minnesota’s offense this season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry entering Sunday and helping greatly improve an oft-struggling Vikings running game.
Prior to his injury on Sunday, he tallied 71 yards on 13 carries (5.5 yards per carry), plus two catches for 13 yards. He eventually returned near the end of the game and had two more carries for nine yards.
Jones suffered a hip injury in Week 5 and missed the final three quarters against the Jets, during which time the Vikings struggled to do anything on the ground with Ty Chandler. However, the Vikings have since acquired Cam Akers, who will have to handle a big role down the stretch if Jones can’t return.
The team has said Jones is questionable to return due to a chest injury, but he was seen being carted from the sideline to the locker room.
Minnesota was trailing Jacksonville 3-7 at the time Jones was hurt but added a field goal right after to make it 6-7.
