Vikings Dealt Aaron Jones Blow on Top of JJ McCarthy Loss in Week 3

If you take away the fourth quarter of the Minnesota Vikings' victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 1, this team has scored 12 points on four field goals over the other seven quarters of play.

That in itself is enough to concern Vikings fans as the team moves deeper into the 2025 season. The fact that the injury bug is biting several starters at the same time only makes things worse. Unfortunately, that is the reality in Minnesota entering Week 3.

After quarterback J.J. McCarthy was already ruled out of Sunday afternoon's meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals, Vikings beat writer Will Ragatz has since reported that running back Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) is also expected to be sidelined.

Hamstring Injury Likely to Sideline Vikings RB Aaron Jones in Week 3

With Jones expected to be sidelined for Sunday's game against the Bengals, his running mate in the backfield, Jordan Mason, should be in line for RB1 duties for however long it takes Jones to recover and return. Although the Vikings would certainly love for both backs to be in uniform and available to play, Mason's play thus far has at least shown he can be depended upon if needed.

Mason appears to be up to the task of leading the charge in the run game, which will calm some nerves in the Twin Cities. The lack of depth behind him, though, is certainly going to be something to keep an eye on. With the way that hamstring injuries tend to linger, the Vikings' offense could be relying on Mason to keep the rushing game afloat for more than just this coming week.

Given the fact that QB2 Carson Wentz is in line to make his first start under center for Minnesota this Sunday, it wouldn't be surprising if head coach Kevin O'Connell and the offensive coaching staff leaned on the rushing attack more than normal. Wentz is a serviceable backup at this stage of his career, but expecting him to lead this team to victory through the air is an unlikely outcome.

There is no way to sugarcoat it; the Vikings are going to be fighting an uphill battle when they own the ball in Week 3. Their saving grace might be the fact that the Bengals will be dealing with similar injury issues, following the news that QB Joe Burrow is expected to be sidelined for multiple months.

We'll see how much of an impact these injuries have on Minnesota's Week 3 matchup soon enough, as kickoff on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

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