Vikings plan to put running back Aaron Jones on injured reserve; add QB Desmond Ridder, RB Cam Akers

Emily Leiker and Ben Goessling, Star Tribune on Sep 16, 2025

Published in Football

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MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings running back Aaron Jones is being moved to injured reserve after suffering a hamstring strain during Sunday night’s loss to the Falcons, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed Tuesday. Jones will miss at least four games.

Jones joins fullback C.J. Ham and running back Ty Chandler, among others, on IR. Ham (knee) was placed on the list when the Vikings cut their roster to 53 players at the end of training camp and is eligible to return after the Week 4 game against the Steelers in Dublin. Chandler (knee) landed on the list after the season opener in Chicago and can return after the Week 5 game against the Browns in London.

With the Vikings’ bye in Week 6, Jones could come back after the Oct. 19 game against the Eagles. The Vikings play the Chargers on “Thursday Night Football” on Oct. 23.

Jones’ injury means RB1 duties will go to Jordan Mason, whom the Vikings acquired via trade with the 49ers in March. Through two games, Mason has 24 carries for 98 yards.

The Vikings added Mason in part to lighten the workload on the 30-year-old Jones, who had 13 carries for 46 yards and three catches for 44 yards this season, including a crucial touchdown against the Bears.

The Vikings are also bringing back Cam Akers to their practice squad to supplement the running back room, which includes Zavier Scott on the active roster. Scott is returning from an ankle injury suffered in the Vikings’ preseason finale against the Titans.

This would be Akers’ third stint in Minnesota, having been acquired in a trade in each of the last two seasons. He previously played for Kevin O’Connell with the Rams.

With starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy out for Sunday’s game against the Bengals because of a sprained ankle, the Vikings also made a move Tuesday for a healthy quarterback who’d spent training camp in Cincinnati.

They are signing Desmond Ridder to their active roster, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed; the Vikings plan for Carson Wentz to start the game and have undrafted rookie Max Brosmer back him up, but Ridder gives them another experienced option. According to the league’s daily transaction list, the Vikings brought in Ridder and former Cleveland starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson for tryouts.

Ridder, the Falcons’ third-round pick in 2022, took over the starting job from Marcus Mariota toward the end of that season and started 13 games for the Falcons in 2023 before signing with the Raiders last year. He was in Bengals camp this summer, before the team waived him in advance of final roster cuts on Aug. 26. In three preseason games, he went 16 of 37 for 173 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

He spent the summer practicing against the Bengals’ defense, and Ridder will bring knowledge of the Vikings’ upcoming opponent with him to Minnesota.

The first official injury report of the week comes out Wednesday, and the bad news for the offense could continue. Starting center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule, who started the first two games in place of the injured Christian Darrisaw, are in the concussion protocol. Receiver Jordan Addison will miss Sunday’s game, the last in his three-game suspension.