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Charles Woodson targets Aaron Jones rushing yardage over 61.5 yards (-114) against Chicago, citing Kevin O'Connell's commitment to the run game, Jones as the focal point with Jordan Mason out, and expectation that soggy weather in Chicago will favor the run; notes Bears' run defense was decent against Carolina but expects Vikings to have more success this week.

Player prop bet recommendation: Over 61.5 rushing yards at -114 odds. With Jordan Mason out, the Vikings' run game focus shifts directly to Jones. Coach Kevin O'Connell demonstrated commitment to the run game even when trailing last week against Green Bay. Soggy weather forecast in Chicago favors the run game, and the Bears' run defense, while decent against Carolina, is expected to struggle more against the Vikings' rushing attack.

Josh Shepardson would start Aaron Jones over Jadarian Price, Jeremiyah Love, Travis Etienne, Chuba Hubbard, and Rhamondre Stevenson, all of whom rank ahead of him in half-PPR ECR despite Jones being the RB25. With Jordan Mason on injured reserve, Jones is the clear lead runner, handling 12 of Minnesota's 27 running back carries (44.4%) in Week 1. While Demond Claiborne, DeeJay Dallas, or Jerome Ford may spell Jones, he is clearly the featured back. Jones had a 23.3% route participation rate in Week 1 but reached a 45.7% route participation rate last season, and Shepardson expects him to reach at least that mark this week. The Bears' defense allowed 177 scrimmage yards, 4.79 yards per carry, and 31.7 half-PPR points to Carolina's running backs in Week 1, giving Jones a sweet matchup. Shepardson rates Jones as comfortably an RB2 in 12-team leagues for Week 2.

With Jordan Mason on IR, Aaron Jones Sr. should handle the bulk of the Vikings' backfield work, placing him in the RB2 range.

The source expects Aaron Jones to be effective for the next two to three weeks, potentially seeing 70% of backfield touches. He is projected to achieve his first RB1 finish since last November in Week 2, based on expected receiving volume (six catches) and checkdown opportunities from Carson Wentz against a Bears defense that allowed 86 receiving yards to Panthers running backs in Week 1.

Jones is half-PPR's RB21 on RB12 usage in games with Mason since 2024, indicating significant upside when given a full workload. The Vikings' improved offensive line and favorable schedule over the next month (Bears, Bucs, Dolphins, Saints) create an opportunity to sneak in RB2 fantasy value.

Jordan Mason (finger) surprisingly heads to IR, leaving Aaron Jones as the clear top dog with only veteran DeeJay Dallas (six snaps in Week 1) and sixth-round undersized rookie Demond Claiborne (healthy scratch in Week 1) as complements. Jones is far more likely to get goal-line and run-out-the-clock carries.

Jordan Mason was placed on injured reserve for at least four games after leaving Week 16 of the 2025 season after four snaps and missing Week 17. Jones totaled 39 carries and seven targets in those two contests. The Vikings will likely get DeeJay Dallas and Demond Claiborne more involved, but it will be the Jones show until Mason returns.

Jordan Mason was placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games. Mason left Week 16 of the 2025 season after four snaps and then missed Week 17, during which Jones totaled 39 carries and seven targets in those two contests. The Vikings will likely get DeeJay Dallas and Demond Claiborne more involved, but it's going to be the Jones show until Mason returns.

Aaron Jones could be a popular play at cost this week with Jordan Mason injured. While Philadelphia. Dallas doesn't trust Jones with heavy usage in the long run, they're happy to take advantage of the increased touches while he's fresh and healthy. Chicago tends to be tougher against the run, but Minnesota should move the ball well and provide goal-line opportunities. That, plus checkdowns, is what made Chuba Hubbard viable last week despite just 49 yards on the ground.

With Jordan Mason on IR due to a thumb injury, Jones has the Packers backfield essentially to himself in Week 2 vs. the Bears. Despite entering his age-32 season with draft concerns, the Panthers racked up 5.7 yards per carry in Week 1, suggesting a favorable rushing environment.

A thumb injury has landed Jordan Mason on IR, paving the way for Jones to jump back into the fantasy RB2 mix. In his four starts against the Bears since arriving in Minnesota, Jones has averaged 96 scrimmage yards per game and scored three touchdowns against them. Chuba Hubbard just put up 87 yards and two TDs on Chicago last week, and with rookie Demond Claiborne still getting acclimated and DeeJay Dallas being more of a special-teams asset, Jones is a strong start.

Jones steps up as the 49ers RB1 with Jordan Mason sidelined by a thumb fracture. The source emphasizes that Jones and DeeJay Dallas 'have to be impactful, not volume-obsessed,' indicating the backfield will see increased usage but both backs will share carries rather than one dominating.

Aaron Jones is now a value after DraftKings released salaries before Jordan Mason landed on injured reserve. The source notes Jones should handle the lion's share of Minnesota's backfield touches, with only rookie Demond Claiborne, DeeJay Dallas, and a practice-squad call-up for Jerome Ford as options to spell him. Jones is game-script agnostic given his pass-catching chops: in 31 games with the Vikings, he has a 46.2% route participation rate, 11.2% target share, 0.21 TPRR, 2.6 receptions per game, 20 receiving yards per game, 1.25 Y/RR and three receiving touchdowns. The Bears allowed 91 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, four receptions, 86 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown to running backs on the Panthers last week at 4.79 yards per carry and 17.2 yards per target.

Listed as a core play for DFS in Week 2, marking Jones as a primary target for both cash and tournament lineups.

With Jordan Mason placed on injured reserve (IR), the Vikings will lean on veteran Aaron Jones. Expect to see 15-17 touches from him in this game against a vulnerable Bears defense. There's a legit chance this game could turn into a shootout against the Bears, so Aaron Jones is a strong DFS cash game option.

The source ranks Jones RB20 and calls him an attractive Week 2 option now that the Vikings have placed Jordan Mason on injured reserve with a thumb injury. Jones and Mason split work pretty evenly against the Packers in Week 1, with Jones playing one more snap but Mason getting three more carries. With Mason out, it's possible Jones gets close to 20 touches against a bad Bears defense in Chicago.

The Vikings are shifting to a committee approach at running back in Week 1, but this changes in Week 2 now that Jordan Mason is headed to IR due to thumb surgery. Though Aaron Jones is 31 years old and no longer an elite runner, he remains a competent pass-catcher. The Bears allowed Panthers backs to pile up 86 receiving yards in Week 1, and Chicago enters as 4.5-point home favorites. With QB Carson Wentz's limited mobility compared to Kyler Murray, ample check-downs to Jones are expected when under pressure. With the Vikings expected to trail, Jones has pass-catching momentum from two angles. His 81.5 total yards prop is higher than D'Andre Swift's this week, indicating Jones is a locked-in fantasy starter in this favorable matchup for his skill set.

With Jordan Mason's move to IR, Aaron Jones Sr. will get the vast majority of touches in the Vikings backfield, with only a few backups mixed in; this represents a significant increase in his offensive role and fantasy opportunity.

Aaron Jones is recommended as a start option over Travis Etienne in Week 2, facing Chicago.