After Colts vs. Vikings: Aaron Jones set for knee MRI as 6-0 Minnesota eyes Detroit, while Steichen sticks with Daniel Jones

The Minnesota Vikings are 6-0 after Sunday’s 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. The day after, the conversation in both cities has moved past the final score. Minnesota is waiting on Aaron Jones’ knee, and Indianapolis is defending its quarterback and its kicker after a third straight loss.

Aaron Jones to get an MRI on Monday

Running back Aaron Jones left in the fourth quarter after a 17-yard run. Coach Kevin O’Connell said afterward that Jones aggravated a knee injury he first suffered in Week 2 against the Bears, ProFootballTalk reported. Jones missed one practice after that injury but played the following week.

Jones is scheduled for an MRI on Monday, according to a PFT source, and the current hope is that the injury won’t be long-term. The Vikings haven’t announced results.

The timing matters because of the trade deadline, which is about two weeks away. PFT reported that Minnesota was already believed to be interested in adding a running back, and a Jones absence could raise the urgency.

Jordan Mason’s return

The good news in the backfield was Jordan Mason. He returned from injured reserve after missing four games with a thumb injury from Week 1 and ran 15 times for 68 yards. PFT wrote that Mason “looked much better than Aaron Jones” before Jones got hurt.

The Vikings’ schedule gets tougher

Minnesota’s offense managed 275 yards on Sunday. The defense has carried the team, coming into the game allowing a league-low 12.2 points per game, according to Colts.com. Kyler Murray went 14 of 24 for 150 yards and a touchdown, and Harrison Smith sealed it with a late interception.

The next four weeks are a test:

Schedule order as reported by ProFootballTalk.

Colts: Steichen says no QB change

Indianapolis fell to 2-5 with its third straight loss. Daniel Jones finished 13 of 22 for 108 yards, took four sacks and threw his seventh interception of the season on the Colts’ final drive, Colts.com reported.

Coach Shane Steichen said he has “a ton of faith” in Jones and is not considering a change. “The game plan today was to go in and run the football,” Steichen said, “and obviously at the end he had the interception, and that happens in football.”

Jones put it on himself: “It’s my job to play well and put the team in position to win games. I got to do a better job of that.”

Not everyone agrees with sticking with him. ProFootballTalk argued the Colts “owe it to themselves” to see whether Anthony Richardson can do better. PFT also noted that Steichen survived general manager Chris Ballard’s firing this week, and said more changes could come before or after the trade deadline.

Backing Spencer Shrader after two misses

Spencer Shrader came in having made 22 straight field goals. He missed from 56 and 48 yards on Sunday, only the second and third misses of his career, according to Colts.com. Both came when Steichen chose to kick on fourth down rather than go for it, and Athlon Sports argued those decisions cost the Colts the game.

Players stood by the kicker. “Spencer’s been big time for us,” Jones said. “We got to do a better job sustaining drives and finishing in the end zone.”

The Colts’ defense held up

Steichen called his defense “phenomenal all day.” Minnesota averaged 4.9 yards per play and went 3 of 11 on third down. Defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore had two sacks, Colts.com said. The secondary held up without cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf), even after Justin Walley and Cam Taylor-Britt left with injuries.

Jonathan Taylor and Seth McGowan combined for 141 rushing yards on 29 carries.

“We expected it to be this kind of game, kind of an ugly game,” Jones said.

What’s next

The Vikings go to Detroit next Sunday. The Colts travel to face the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars.

FAQ

Earlier coverage: Vikings beat Colts 16-10 to stay unbeaten as Harrison Smith seals it with his 40th career interception (Oct 25)