The Backfield Has Two Backs Again. One of Them Might Not Play.

Kevin O'Connell confirmed Monday that Aaron Jones Sr. is day-to-day with the knee he hurt Sunday, which means the Vikings head into the week uncertain about the player who has carried their ground game for six weeks. Jones has 463 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the season. Losing him for any stretch would hurt.

The timing is at least manageable. Jordan Mason returned to the active roster Saturday after clearing the fractured thumb that cost him the first month-plus of the year, so the Vikings are no longer looking at Demond Claiborne as their fallback option. Mason has 144 rushing yards and a touchdown in three games this season, which is a real body of work even if it's a small one. If Jones misses time, Mason steps in rather than the backfield collapsing entirely.

Still, this is a team that built its 6-0 record on Jones being available and functional every week. The depth chart looks better today than it did 72 hours ago, but the question for the next few days is whether Jones can practice and what O'Connell says at the end of the week. Day-to-day can mean back Thursday or it can mean a game-time decision Sunday against Detroit.