Former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is currently on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, but he’s expected to play a key role in the team’s plans this week.
The Vikings have been relying on Sam Darnold this season, especially since J.J. McCarthy has been sidelined with an injury. However, this could change in the upcoming Sunday, January 5, game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
A quarterback change seems increasingly likely ahead of the crucial matchup.
Daniel Jones Could Make His Vikings Debut Against the Lions
Sunday’s game holds significant playoff implications. The winner will secure the NFC’s top seed, the NFC North title, a first-round playoff bye, and home-field advantage for the Super Bowl. The loser will drop to the fifth seed, facing a road game in the wild-card round.
With so much on the line, the Vikings are evaluating all options to ensure their roster is at its best, including the potential activation of Daniel Jones. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has spoken highly of Jones’ work behind the scenes.
“We’re going to have some discussions about the timing of it,” O’Connell said on December 30. “Daniel’s been putting in some phenomenal work quietly behind the scenes. I’m more excited now than I was when we first brought him in. That’s definitely something we’ll talk about.”
Experts Predict Jones Will Be Activated for the Vikings’ Playoff Push
NFL analyst Eric Strack believes there’s little downside to activating Jones for this critical game.
Daniel Jones
If Jones is ready, just have him take Nick Mullens’ spot on the active roster,” Strack suggested, adding that not doing so would be a surprise. “I’ll be shocked if the Vikings don’t add him to the roster for Week 18.”
Sports Illustrated’s Will Ragatz agrees, calling it a “no-brainer” for the Vikings to bring Jones up. He pointed out that activating Jones would also help the team’s compensatory pick formula if he leaves for free agency.
Tyler Forness of A to Z Sports emphasized the strategic value of the Vikings’ signing of Jones, noting it was a smart, low-cost move that aligns with the team’s competitive rebuild.
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