Jeff Saturday and Domonique Foxworth provided insights into the NFC North, highlighting the Minnesota Vikings’ impressive 4-0 record and the Detroit Lions at 3-1.
In their recent match, the Vikings secured a 23-17 win over the New York Jets, but the victory was marred by an injury to running back Aaron Jones, who left the game in the first quarter due to a hip issue. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell expressed hope that the injury would not sideline Jones for long.
“Keeping my fingers crossed that that hopefully will be short term,” O’Connell stated to reporters at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
With this win, the Vikings now hold a perfect 5-0 record and will have a bye week in Week 6. The timing of Jones’ injury was ambiguous, but it occurred after a 24-yard reception he made during a pivotal moment in the first quarter. Quarterback Sam Darnold, who also exited the game due to injury, had thrown a pass to Jones that required him to leap, resulting in a hard landing. Following Jones’ exit, backup Ty Chandler took over but quickly fumbled on his first play after Darnold’s return.
Before the injury, Jones had amassed 29 rushing yards on seven carries and has totaled 350 yards throughout the season in his first year with the Vikings, following a one-year free agent contract signing this spring.