Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones said after his final two-fumble against the Arizona Cardinals that his mother called for him to sit on the bench.
The Pro Bowl running back has struggled with ball security in his first season with the Vikings. Four of his last five fumbles have come in the last three games since returning from a rib injury.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, #33, runs for a first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
In Sunday’s narrow victory over the Cardinals, Jones fumbled twice on the first play of each of Minnesota’s first two drives.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his confidence in Jones, but according to Jones, his mother apparently disagreed.
“She said, ‘They had to sit you down,’” he said Thursday, recalling the conversation he had with his mother, Vurgess Jones, after last week’s game.
“She said, ‘I don’t know what’s going on, but they have to take him out of the game. They have to bench him now.’ Every time I hear it from my mother, it gets worse.”
Vurgess Jones, center, mother of Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones, cheers on the team before their NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Levi’ Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (PROPOSE)
SAM DARNOLD HELPS VIKINGS TO 10TH VICTORY OF THE SEASON IN VICTORY OVER CARDINALS
Jones admitted he was a little speechless at his mother’s candor.
“I thought, ‘Ah, you know, I have to learn from it.’ She said, “Well, didn’t you learn it last week?”
“I didn’t really know what to say,” he said, laughing. “But it’s what I need. You know, my mom was hard on me – my dad was for so many years, my dad’s not around, so now my mom has kind of taken over that role without me asking her .”
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, #33, reaches for an incomplete pass in front of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., #2, during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sunday’s win over the Cardinals marked Minnesota’s fifth straight. Jones said he has reviewed the film and hopes to improve before this weekend’s highly anticipated game against former quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports reporting on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
