Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones Sr. or Kenny Gainwell

Wednesday, October 14, 6:42 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. has taken on a workload that not even his most fervent supporters could have envisioned. With Jordan Mason on Injured Reserve due to a thumb injury, Jones has seen at least 20 carries in three of the last four weeks and has gone over 100 yards rushing in two of those contests. In total, the 31-year-old veteran has 85 rushing attempts for 370 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and one touchdown, while catching 12 of his 17 targets for 72 yards through the air. It has vaulted Jones to RB15 in half-PPR scoring through the first five games of the 2026 season. He had a season-high in touches with 28 in the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Savvy fantasy managers will want to sell high on Jones as the Vikings head into their bye week. Mason is expected to return in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, and at that point, Minnesota plans to give Jones a break so that he does not wear down early this season. In the season-opening win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers when Mason was healthy, Jones had 12 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown and went without a catch. His volume is about to fall.