Vikings running back Aaron Jones is expected to play through a quad injury in Sunday's massive showdown with the Detroit Lions. Jones hopes to stick around Minnesota a lot longer than this year's postseason run.
"I hope to be here until the end of my career," Jones said this week, via ESPN. "Honestly, this is an excellent place."
Jones has been limited in practices this week after sitting out the end of the Week 17 win over Green Bay with a quad injury. By all accounts, the 30-year-old isn't expected to be hindered in the tussle for the NFC North.
The running back spent his first seven seasons with the Packers before being released in March. He inked a one-year, $7 million deal in Minnesota and has shined in Kevin O'Connell's scheme.
Jones is 29 yards shy of setting a career best in rushing yards (1,121) after already taking a career-high 245 yards through 16 games.
The back has only played a full slate of games twice in his career. He played 17 games in 2022 but missed five tilts in 2023 before his release from Green Bay.
"Last year, I missed a handful of games and played through injury as well," he said. "With that, I guess the narrative got out that 'he's injury-prone and constantly injured.' ... [This season], I'm letting guys know that whatever I go through throughout the week, or in that game, I'm going to be ready the following Sunday."
Re-signing Jones would make a lot of sense for Minnesota, who have more significant questions under center for 2025, with J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings and Sam Darnold coming off a Pro Bowl season. Stability in the backfield could help any potential transition.
However, that's fodder for a different day. For now, Jones and the Vikings are focusing on winning on the road in Detroit to take the division crown and the NFC's No. 1 seed.
