NFL Announces Punishment for Vikings RB Aaron Jones in Week 9
The Minnesota Vikings picked up a much-needed victory against the Detroit Lions in Week 9, but running back Aaron Jones didn’t escape the contest unscathed.
Not only did Jones suffer a shoulder injury in the game, which has left him questionable for the team’s Week 10 showdown with the surging Baltimore Ravens, he also incurred a punishment from the league for unnecessary roughness.
The NFL on Saturday announced a $23,186 fine against Jones for “use of the helmet” during a first-quarter play against Detroit. Jones will not face any suspension threat for his actions and will be able to play against Baltimore should his health issues allow it.
Aaron Jones Dealing With Yet Another Injury Ahead of Ravens Game
GettyMinnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones.
Jones, who has missed half of Minnesota’s games to this point in the season already due to injury, appears likely to go against the Ravens despite his shoulder problem.
“Vikings RB Aaron Jones (questionable, shoulder) is expected to play Sunday vs. Ravens, per sources,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported via X on Saturday.
Vikings RB Aaron Jones (questionable, shoulder) is expected to play Sunday vs. Ravens, per sources.
Jones was a key piece to Minnesota’s offense in its three-point road victory over the Lions in Week 9, rushing for 78 yards on just nine carries and hauling in two receptions for 20 yards through the air.
When healthy, Jones has proven an important safety valve for Minnesota’s second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is just 22 years old and has started just three games as a professional (2-1).
That said, Jones’ production is way down in 2025, mainly because he has missed four of eight games to this point for the .500 Vikings (4-4). Jones has 139 rushing yards on 27 carries (5.1 yards per attempt) and seven catches for 79 receiving yards and one score.
Aaron Jones May Be Playing Last Season With Vikings in 2025
GettyRunning back Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings.
Jones’ age and injury history could set him up for a transition to a new team next offseason, either via a trade or release on the part of the Vikings.
Soon to turn 31 years old, Jones was a trade candidate leading up to the NFL’s November 4 deadline for such transactions, per Bill Barnwell of ESPN.
“Moving on from Jones might be more about saving money than anything else. He is owed just over $1 million in 2025 and has $2 million of his $10 million compensation in 2026 guaranteed, a deal the Vikings are likely to move on from this offseason,” Barnwell wrote on October 30. “Would a team like the [Los Angeles] Chargers be willing to essentially pay $3 million to have Jones in its lineup for the rest of 2025?”
Minnesota also traded for running back Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the season before inking him to a two-year contract extension. Mason was already usurping Jones as the team’s primary rusher out of the backfield on first- and second-downs before Jones suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 that landed him on the injured reserve list (IR).
As such, this campaign could be Jones’ last hoorah in Minneapolis before the Vikings move on to a younger core group in the offensive backfield.
Spencer Rattler Breaks Silence: “NFL Doesn’t Care About Your Pain — You Have to Play Anyway”
In an emotional revelation that’s shaking the NFL to its core, Spencer Rattler of the New Orleans Saints has opened up about the tragic death of Marshawn Kneeland, and his words are sending shockwaves across the league. Following the devastating news of Kneeland’s death, Rattler shared a brutally honest truth that no one saw coming — revealing the emotional struggle players face when the game demands they push aside personal pain.
Rattler, who briefly played alongside Kneeland during his time with the New Orleans Saints, called the loss of his former teammate “devastating” and a stark reminder of the unspoken pressure NFL players face. But it wasn’t just about the grief — it was about the expectation to perform no matter what:
"Everyone thinks the NFL is just about football. But the truth is, they don’t care what you're feeling. They just expect you to show up and play. We’re told to shut off our emotions, but that’s not realistic. I feel like we’re not allowed to grieve the loss of a brother because we have to get ready for a game. That’s the cold reality of this league."
A Wake-Up Call to Fans: "We're Not Machines"
Rattler’s shocking admission sheds light on the emotional toll that NFL players endure, often sacrificing their own mental well-being for the sake of the game. As the
"We’ve got to put our feelings aside for the fans, for our coaches, and for our teammates. But losing someone like Marshawn—it’s like losing a brother. It’s not just a game. People don’t understand how much time we spend with each other, and now I have to focus on beating the Packers while mourning my friend. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do."
A Brotherhood in Crisis?
As the NFL grapples with the tragic loss of Kneeland, Rattler’s powerful words are raising serious questions about the emotional cost of playing professional football.
Is the NFL a family, or is it a brutal machine that demands players sacrifice everything — including their emotions — for the game? The death of Kneeland is only the latest in a long line of heart-wrenching moments that show just how much players endure off the field.
