Oct 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) rushes the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones aggravated a lingering left knee injury during the team’s undefeated 16-10 home victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Following a hard hit at the end of a 17-yard run, Jones was spotted heading directly to the blue medical tent. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed post-game that the running back underwent an evaluation, with reports indicating he was scheduled for an MRI on Monday.
The veteran running back originally sprained his left MCL during Week 2 against the Chicago Bears but has played in every contest since. He finished Sunday’s game with eight carries for 26 yards.
Minnesota also received a boost in the backfield, getting running back Jordan Mason back in action for the first time since Week 1 following a thumb injury. Mason led the team’s rushing attack, compiling 68 yards on 15 carries.
Carolina Panthers veteran right tackle Taylor Moton was carted off the field after sustaining a fractured left fibula during the team’s decisive 43-13 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales acknowledged that Moton faces a significant recovery period and will be sidelined “out for a while.”
The injury occurred just in Moton’s second game back since returning from a serious blood clotting issue. He was injured in the opening minute of the third quarter when teammate Rasheed Walker, the left tackle, fell across the back of his legs.
Moton clutched his left leg and punched the turf in visible frustration while waiting for the training staff to arrive on the field.
“It was the fibula. There is a fracture there,” Canales told reporters after the game. “We’ll have to get the full run-up to be able to give you the extent of the whole thing. But it was just sick for ‘T-Mo.’ Working his way back, getting out there. Just kinda an end-of-the-play thing, guys just rolled up on him unexpectedly at that moment.”
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was forced to exit the team’s 30-16 road victory over the Arizona Cardinals due to a chest injury.
The injury occurred during a reverse play with under five minutes remaining on the clock. Waddle fumbled the pitch from quarterback Bo Nix and dove to recover the ball, only for Arizona’s Josh Sweat to land directly on top of him. The receiver headed straight to the locker room and did not return to the game.
Waddle, who finished the game with four catches for 48 yards, had been managing a chest injury throughout the week, limiting his participation in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. However, he was a full participant on Friday and entered the game without an injury designation.
Following the game, Broncos head coach Sean Payton openly criticized his own play-calling decision regarding the reverse that resulted in the injury. “Why didn’t anybody ask me about the dumb reverse call?” Payton remarked during his postgame press conference. “… It was awful. I’m sorry.”
The New York Giants secured a hard-fought 27-21 overtime victory over the Houston Texans, but the team exited the contest with multiple injury concerns regarding their backfield.
Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. exited the game in the first half with a hamstring injury, while teammate Cam Skattebo also reported feeling discomfort in his hamstring following a 42-yard sprint in overtime. That play set up Devin Singletary’s game-winning 30-yard touchdown run.
Skattebo enjoyed a career-best performance, racking up 124 rushing yards as the Giants totaled 188 yards on the ground to support quarterback J.J. McCarthy in his first career start. The team will now have a Week 8 bye week to rest and recover.
For the Texans, running back Woody Marks briefly exited the field with an apparent left knee injury but managed to return to play. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans also announced that wide receiver Jaylin Noel suffered a turf toe injury, with Noel later spotted wearing a protective boot.
The already battered Green Bay Packers offensive line suffered further damage on Sunday, as centers Sean Rhyan and Jacob Monk were forced to make early exits due to ankle and quad injuries, respectively.
Both players departed during the first quarter of what ultimately resulted in a tough 20-17 road loss to the Detroit Lions. Reserve John Williams stepped in to take over center duties for the remainder of the contest.
Following the loss, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed doubt that either center would be available for a quick turnaround the following Thursday against the Carolina Panthers.
This loss compounds the Packers’ already extensive injury list, which includes the season-ending loss of tackle Zach Bako-Bewele due to a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, alongside ongoing issues for starting guard Aaron Banks, who has dealt with multiple injuries. Additionally, Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. did not return after sustaining an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.
Over in Paris, the New Orleans Saints fell 16-10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the team also faced injury setbacks, with safety Justin Reid sustaining a concussion and running back CJ Donaldson hurt his shoulder during the contest.