Jordan Mason DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) has RB3/flex appeal against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 if he is activated, because he should immediately reclaim a substantial portion of the rushing workload and cut into early-down opportunities for Aaron Jones Sr. Mason is expected to be activated from injured reserve Saturday, barring any setbacks, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. He missed four games after fracturing his thumb in the season opener and undergoing surgery, but he practiced in full throughout the week and is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup. In Week 1, Mason led Minnesota with 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Jones handled 12 carries for 40 yards and a score. Jones has since shouldered 85 carries over four games, but the Vikings originally planned to rotate the two backs before Mason's injury.

For fantasy managers who held onto Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) through his stint on injured reserve, a possible return against the wayward Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 is exactly the type of matchup that could make their patience worth it. Officially listed as questionable, Mason fully practiced this week and his outlook for Sunday is "positive," according to Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. The Colts, who already fired their general manager and seem inches away from a full-scale rebuild, have especially struggled on defense. Indianapolis is allowing 4.8 yards per rush and 27.3 points per game, both of which rank 27th in the league, while they pressure the quarterback and force turnovers at the lowest rates in the NFL. The former San Francisco 49er will split work with backfield mate Aaron Jones Sr., who is the team's preferred pass catcher among the two, though the setting is still good enough that both can be considered a quality RB3/Flex option. Mason is RotoBaller's No. 26 running back this week.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that running back Jordan Mason (thumb) is questionable to come off Injured Reserve this weekend to take on the visiting Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 on Sunday, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Mason has not played since the season-opening win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers due to a fractured thumb, but he practiced in full on Thursday and has been trending towards making his return against the Colts. When the 27-year-old does return, he is expected to take over a good chunk of the backfield duties to give overworked veteran Aaron Jones Sr. a breather. If the Vikings hold Mason out for another week, though, Jones will once again be an RB2 play in fantasy against the struggling Colts. Mason had a big role in Week 1 for Minnesota, carrying the ball 15 times for 59 yards and one touchdown, although he was not targeted in the passing game. If Mason is officially activated from IR and is active on Sunday, he should be treated as an RB3/flex option in his first game back.