JordanMason

News: 3 days agoMason is taking over as Minnesota's unquestioned lead back with Aaron Jones (hamstring) going to injured reserve and missing at least four games.

Spin: With No. 3 RB Ty Chandler (knee) already on IR, the Vikings are left with Mason and Zavier Scott as their only running backs on the active roster. The team figures to promote Cam Akers or Xazavian Valladay from the practice squad before Sunday's game against Cincinnati, but that shouldn't stop Mason from taking on a large workload against a vulnerable defense in a game featuring two backup quarterbacks. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters Wednesday that Mason is a "potential bell-cow kind of back."

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Mason was traded to Minnesota and is expected to operate in a committee with Aaron Jones. The 2022 UDFA was terrific in limited work during his three seasons in San Francisco. His 5.31 YPC ranks fourth and his 2.49 YAC is the best among RBs with 200-plus carries since he entered the league. Mason is 26 years old with 250 career touches and is a nonfactor as a receiver (career 14-121-0 line on 18 targets), but he should push for roughly half of Minnesota's carries, with Jones handling the passing-down work. Mason doesn't figure to provide standalone fantasy value and is best valued as an insurance hold for your bench.