Running back Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings was forced to leave the team’s victory over the New York Jets in Week 5 due to a hip injury, which highlighted the team’s shortcomings in the run game.
In relief, backup Ty Chandler had a difficult time rushing for 30 yards on 14 carries, averaging 2.1 yards. In the first quarter, the third-year back again botched an exchange on a pitch, which resulted to the Jets flipping the field and getting the ball back at the Vikings’ 15-yard line.
The play might have cost the Vikings, but they managed to win 20-17 on October 6 to go into their bye week 5-0.
But without Jones, the attack was one-dimensional in the second half, managing only five yards of rushing and 98 yards of total offense.Jones’ prognosis was left unspecified by Kevin O’Connell, who stated he is “crossing his fingers” that Jones’ injury is “short term.”
Considering how Chandler handled lead-back responsibilities, the Vikings should think about strengthening the running back group regardless of Jones’ prognosis. Travis Etienne Jr. is seen as a possible trade candidate and might be a perfect match for the floundering Jacksonville Jaguars.
Due to their dismal 0–4 start to the season, the Jaguars are in risk of having to sell when the trade deadline on November 5th approaches.After reviewing the team’s roster, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler discovered that Etienne was one of a few players who might be traded if the team does not improve on their current record.
On October 2, Fowler tweeted, “I’m not saying Jacksonville wants to move marquee players, but we’ve seen this script before when a team implodes.”
Etienne would fit right in as the running back room for the Vikings. The Clemson product who was selected in the first round of the 2021 draft showed that he was a two-way player by running for 1,008 yards on 267 runs and catching 58 receptions for 476 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023.
Prior to the 2024 season, he was the 11th-ranked running back by Pro Football Focus.
For the remainder of the season, the Vikings may use a committee strategy with Etienne and Jones to keep Jones fresh and provide depth behind the seasoned back.
Etienne’s fifth-year option was also activated by Jacksonville, enabling a trade partner to retain him for just $6.1 million in the 2025 campaign.
ones, 30, is participating in current season on a $7 million, one-year contract. Sam Darnold had the kind of game that many predicted would come eventually against the jets defense, but it didn’t matter.With 3 minutes, 7 seconds remaining in the game, Darnold led a crucial touchdown drive despite struggling in the second half after guiding the Vikings to a 17-point lead early in the game.
Had Aaron Rodgers‘ comeback attempt on the game’s final drive been successful, the Darnold criticism surely would have reappeared. In London, he completed 14 of 31 passes for 179 yards and one interception.
But despite hardship, he continues to write plays when they are important. This season, Darnold has spearheaded three drives in the final quarter to help the Vikings hold onto victories over the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Green Bay Packers.Darnold’s ability to stabilize the club late in the game keeps him as a possible candidate for Most Valuable Player going forward, even though the Vikings haven’t trailed frequently.
Leave a Reply