Vikings Open Practice Window for RB Jordan Mason After Thumb Surgery

The Minnesota Vikings are finally getting some backfield reinforcement, which is great news for anyone who has been holding their breath since September. Running back Jordan Mason has officially been designated for return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window.

Getting a running back cleared to practice is usually standard procedure, but in the modern NFL, surviving a month on IR feels like returning from a deep-space mission. Mason has been sidelined since Week 2 after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured thumb.

"Ian Rapoport reported that Mason's practice window is open, though he remains on IR."

For context, breaking a thumb as an NFL running back is basically like a mechanic breaking their favorite wrench. You can technically still show up to the shop, but you are not going to be very useful when it is time to do the actual job of holding onto the football.

His return could not come at a better time for a Minnesota offense trying to stabilize its ground game. With Mason eyeing a potential return to the active roster as soon as Week 7, the backfield rotation is about to get a lot more crowded alongside Aaron Jones.

Oddsmakers and fantasy managers have been treating the Vikings rushing attack like a volatile stock all season. Adding a healthy Mason back into the mix shifts the weekly prop markets, giving Minnesota a physical downhill option to balance the playbook.

Now the clock is officially ticking. The Vikings have three weeks to move Mason to the active roster, but if his thumb is fully healed, expect him to be taking handoffs and punishing linebackers much sooner than that.