Vikings’ Aaron Jones a difference maker again vs. Lions before leaving with shoulder injury

DETROIT - Running back Aaron Jones reminded the Detroit Lions and Vikings fans that the 30-year-old former Green Bay Packers star can still do some damage in the NFC North.

Jones started and took 11 touches for 98 yards from scrimmage during Sunday’s 27-24 win over Detroit. He immediately made a difference, taking his first carry for 11 yards. He then converted a long third down with a 14-yard screen to further the Vikings’ touchdown drive on their first possession.

But after Jones was tackled out of bounds on his ninth carry in the third quarter, he called to the sideline for a medical evaluation.

Jones, who did not return to the game, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that he sustained a sprained AC joint. Coach Kevin O’Connell said he hoped to receive good news about Jones’ status moving forward, while Jones said he expected to be fine.

“I’ll be good,” Jones said. “It was just precautionary. I played through an AC [sprain] before. Tape it down, put a little pad on it, and I’ll be good.”

Running back Jordan Mason replaced Jones and finished with 10 carries for 36 yards.

Jones, who already missed four games because of a hamstring strain suffered in Week 2, has played only two complete games this season.

The Vikings otherwise made it through the win seemingly unscathed.

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right tackle Brian O’Neill were listed questionable entering Sunday because of knee injuries, but both played the entire game.

“I think both me and CD are trending in the right direction in terms of getting close to 100 percent,” O’Neill said. “I can’t speak for him fully, but just being around him the whole week, I think we’re both trending in the right direction.”

Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel returned to a full-time role after missing the last four games because of a lingering neck injury. He deflected an attempted screen pass to Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams and tackled running back Jahmyr Gibbs behind the line for a 1-yard loss.

Receiver Justin Jefferson, who had six catches for 47 yards and a touchdown, briefly left the game in the second half due to cramps, O’Connell said.

Receiver Myles Price, the kickoff and punt returner, tilted the advantage toward the Vikings with a 61-yard kickoff return that set up a short field for quarterback J.J. McCarthy on the opening touchdown drive.

Price nearly put up points on his own, but a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter was called back because of a holding penalty by safety Tavierre Thomas.

Price wasn’t mad at Thomas for negating what would have been the Vikings’ first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2022.

“I’m sick,” Price said. “First off, I’ve seen it. It was not holding. Terrible call. Absolutely terrible call.”

Even without the touchdown, Price took five returns for 164 yards as he has earned the green light from coaches to return kickoffs from however deep.

“At the same time,” Price said, “I knew if I had an opportunity that I was capable of doing these things. This isn’t nothing new to me. It might be new to everyone else who doesn’t know who I am.”

Watch the postgame “Access Vikings” podcast: