Jordan Mason
Mason is a co-lead back who is on injured reserve with a surgically repaired right thumb, and the Vikings expect him back after their Week 6 bye.
Role
Before the injury he was a co-starter with Aaron Jones. In Week 1 Mason had 15 carries to Jones's 12, though Jones got the start (ESPN, Yardbarker). I found no snap share or target share for him. Jones left the Saints game and was listed questionable to return (Heavy, about a day old). Rookie Demond Claiborne and DeeJay Dallas were the healthy backs in that game. Jerome Ford is on the practice squad (CBS Sports, Yahoo).
Mason was the more effective runner in Week 1, with 59 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Heavy argues that Jones is 31 with over 2,100 career rushes and that Mason could end up the lead back once he returns. Jones's in-game injury against the Saints could open more work.
The Vikings' backfield is crowded and has been split. Heavy noted that neither back showed out against an improved Green Bay run defense. Mason's return is not yet dated, and the team has 21 days to activate him once he is cleared to practice or he goes to season-ending IR (Rotoballer). The severity of Jones's injury has not been confirmed in what I read, and a Jones absence helps Mason only if Mason is healthy.
Where analysts split
The open question is whether Mason takes over as the lead back when he returns or goes back to a near-even split with Jones. That depends partly on Jones's health, which I could not confirm. Heavy leans toward Mason as the lead back. Earlier RotoWire coverage described them as co-starters. I found no source arguing the opposite side in detail.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
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