Patrick Jones II Injury News & Updates

Jones (back) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old's shift to IR comes as no surprise, as head coach Dave Canales told reporters Wednesday that Jones would miss the remainder of the season due to a back injury. Jones, a first-year Panther, appeared in four games and played 161 defensive snaps prior to his injury, recording nine total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defended. While he's sidelined for the rest of Carolina's 2025 campaign, expect rookie Nic Scourton to step in and start at outside linebacker.

Head coach Dave Canales announced Wednesday that Jones will miss the rest of the 2025 season due to a back injury that will require surgery, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Jones presumably sustained the injury during the Panthers' Week 6 win over the Cowboys. He underwent imaging Monday, and the results revealed that the injury was severe enough for him to warrant season-ending surgery. The 2021 third-rounder will end the 2025 regular season with nine tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defense across four games. Rookie second-rounder Nic Scourton is expected to step into a more prominent role at linebacker in Jones' absence, and more rotational snaps on defense should be available for Princely Umanmielen and Thomas Incoom.

Jones (hamstring) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Jones missed last Sunday's loss to the Patriots but appears to be on track to return to the lineup following a two-game absence. Jones has five tackles (four solo), one QB hit and one pass breakup on 90 defensive snaps this season.

Jones (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.

The first-year Panther is now in line to miss his second consecutive game after likely sustaining a hamstring injury in Carolina's Week 2 loss to the Cardinals. While Jones remains sidelined in Week 4, expect 2025 third-round pick Princely Umanmielen to play an increased role as one of the Panthers' starting edge rushers.

Jones (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Jones logged a trio of DNPs in practice this week and will miss Sunday's divisional matchup after logging 89 percent of the defensive snaps in the Panthers' Week 2 loss to the Cardinals. Nic Scourton, DJ Johnson and Princely Umanmielen appear to be next up at edge rusher for Carolina opposite D.J. Wonnum.

Jones (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals.

The first-year Panther opened the team's week of practice with consecutive limited sessions due to an ankle injury. However, he upgraded to full participation Friday, suggesting he's moved past the issue. Jones played 60-percent of the Panthers' defensive snaps in Week 1, recording just one total tackle. He's expected to continue starting as one of Carolina's top edge rushers as the season progresses.

Jones (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Jones suffered an ankle injury in the team's 26-10 loss to the Jaguars in Week 1, ultimately being forced to exit the contest early. His ability to practice in any capacity Wednesday is a good sign, and he'll look to log a full practice prior to Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Jones is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Jaguars due to an ankle injury, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Jones has gone back to the locker room to determine the severity of the injury and whether he can return late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. Nic Scourton and Princley Umanmielen are candidates to see an uptick in defensive snaps due to Jones' injury.

Jones (knee) is in line to sign a two-year contract worth up to $20 million with the Panthers, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Jones recorded a career-best statline across the board in 15 regular-season games with the Vikings in 2024, with 39 tackles (19 solo), including 7.0 sacks, plus one forced fumble. He battled a knee injury down the stretch and missed the final two games of the year, but Jones figures to be healthy for the start of Carolina's offseason activities. The 2021 third-round pick looks primed to contribute as a rotational pass rusher with his new team.

Jones (knee) finished the 2024 season with 39 tackles (19 solo), including 7.0 sacks, and one forced fumble across 15 regular-season contests.

Jones battled a knee injury over the final month-plus of the season, missing Week 14 before returning for three contests and then missing Week 18 and the wild-card playoff loss to the Rams. It was a disappointing end to what was a breakout season for the 2020 third-round pick. After recording just 5.0 sacks across his first 42 career contests, Jones recorded all seven of his sacks this past season in the first 10 games of the year before the injury bug hit. Jones is now scheduled to be a free agent in March at 26 years old.

Jones (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's wild-card contest against the Rams, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

Jones hurt his knee in Week 17 against Green Bay and didn't suit up for Minnesota's regular-season finale against Detroit. He didn't practice at all this week, so it doesn't appear he was close to being available for Monday's wild-card game. Dallas Turner may get more defensive snaps than usual with Jones sidelined.

Jones (knee) was listed as a DNP on Thursday's injury report.

Jones has not been able to practice or play since suffering a knee injury during the Vikings' Week 17 win over the Packers. He'll have two more chances to practice this week and progress in his recovery before Monday's NFC wild-card game against the Rams. Dallas Turner would be in line to see a heavier workload alongside starting edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel if Jones were unable to play Monday.

Jones (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday night's game against the Lions.

Jones didn't practice at all this week after he was injured in last Sunday's win over the Packers. With Jones out against Detroit, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner and Jihad Ward should get the lion's share of the snaps off the edge for Minnesota. Jones finishes the regular season with a career-high 39 tackles (19 solo), including 7.0 sacks, after he recored a total of 5.0 sacks across his first three NFL seasons. The Vikings are playing for the NFC's No. 1 seed a a first-round playoff bye Sunday night, which could buy Jones a couple more weeks to rest his injured knee.

Jones (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Jones injured his right knee in the first half of this past Sunday's 27-25 win over the Packers. There is optimism that Jones could play in the Vikings' regular-season finale against the Lions this Sunday, but the 2021 third-round pick would have to return to practice in at least a limited capacity over the next two days.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that the Vikings got "really positive" news on Jones' knee injury, and the third-year linebacker has a chance to be cleared to play against the Lions in Week 18, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Jones left in the first half of Sunday's 27-25 win over the Packers due to a right knee injury and did not return. Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune initially reported after Sunday's game that Jones was expected to miss time, but it appears the 2021 third-round pick has a chance to play in the Vikings' regular-season finale to determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC heading into the postseason. Dallas Turner and Bo Richter would be in line to see more rotational snaps at linebacker behind starters Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard if Jones isn't cleared to play in Week 18.

Jones (knee) is expected to miss additional time with the right knee injury he suffered in Sunday's 27-25 win over the Packers, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Jones sustained a blow to the knee in the first half of the team's Week 17 win, which will now cause him to "miss a little bit of time," according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. In his absence, Dallas Turner and Bo Richter are a pair of candidates to see an increase in workload at linebacker. Minnesota will square off with the Lions in Week 18 with an opportunity to secure the NFC North title and the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC postseason picture.

Jones (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Packers, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Jones injured his knee in the first half of Sunday's NFC North clash, and it is severe enough for him to be sidelined for the rest of the game. With Jones' day done, Dallas Turner and Bo Richter will see more rotational snaps at linebacker behind Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.

Jones (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Packers, Lindsey Young of the Vikings' official site reports.

Jones was on the receiving end of a low block from Packers' tight end Tucker Kraft. Jones was able to walk off the field under his own power but will be evaluated by trainers on the sidelines. Dallas Turner and Bo Richter are in line to see more rotational snaps at linebacker for as long as Jones is out of the game.

Jones (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Seahawks.

Jones upgraded to a full session Friday after beginning the Vikings' week of practice with consecutive limited outings, indicating that he's ready to play in Sunday's contest. The 26-year-old pass rusher has recorded 7.0 sacks and one forced fumble in 13 games this season and is expected to cause problems for a struggling Seahawks offensive line in Week 16.

Jones (knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Jones has been dealing with a knee injury since early December and didn't play Week 14 against Atlanta. He returned to action this past Monday against the Bears, though, and logged three tackles while playing 28 percent of Minnesota's defensive snaps. It's not clear if Jones has had a setback or if the Vikings are simply managing the knee issue, though it's worth noting that he put together an LP/FP/FP practice progression last week and entered the weekend without an injury designation.

Jones (knee) was a full participant in Friday's practice.

The Pittsburgh product missed the Vikings' Week 14 win over the Falcons due to a knee injury, but Friday's full practice suggests he's now recovered from the issue. With Jones back to full health, he's expected to serve as Minnesota's top backup edge rusher in a Week 15 matchup against the Bears on Monday night.

Jones (knee) was estimated to be a limited participant at the Vikings' walkthrough Thursday.

Jones was forced to miss the team's Week 14 win over the Falcons with a knee injury, so his limited participation is a good sign. He'll look to increase his workload at the team's two practices prior to Monday's matchup with the Bears.

Jones (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Jihad Ward is likely to see an increase in defensive snaps while serving as a rotational linebacker behind starters Andrew Van Ginkel (thigh) and Jonathan Greenard. Dallas Turner will likely get a larger role as well.

Jones (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Jones has been limited in practice this week due to a knee injury he may have picked up during Minnesota's Week 13 win over Arizona. If Jones is unable to play Sunday, Jihad Ward would be slated to see an increase in defensive snaps while serving as a rotational linebacker behind starters Andrew Van Ginkel (thigh) and Jonathan Greenard.

Jones (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Jones has been limited in the first two practices of the week due to a knee injury he likely picked up this past Sunday against the Cardinals. He would have to log a full practice Friday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's contest against the Falcons. In the seven games since the Vikings' Week 6 bye, Jones has logged 18 tackles (12 solo), including 2.0 sacks.

Jones had five total tackles and two sacks in Sunday's win at Tennessee.

It's Jones' third game this season with two sacks. He now has seven sacks this season after posting just five career sacks in his three previous seasons.

Jones had two sacks, five total tackles and two tackles for a loss in Sunday's win over the 49ers.

Jones has had two sacks in each of Minnesota's first two games as he had five total sacks his last two seasons. The 2021 third-round draft pick wasn't thought of as an impact pass rusher but he's benefited from the focus on other pass rushers amid a deep rotation. Jones played on just 34 of the defense's 74 snaps, so he may not get the volume of opportunities to come close to keeping up this pace.

Jones logged 32 total tackles, including 1.0 sack and an additional four tackles for loss in 17 games for the Vikings during the 2023 regular season.

Jones saw increased snaps on Minnesota's defense due to D.J. Wonnum sustaining a quadriceps injury towards the end of the season, and he definitely took advantage of his opportunity. In the Vikings' final three games, Jones racked up 16 total tackles, including 1.0 sack and two additional tackles for loss. The 26-year-old also saw the most snaps he's seen as a pass rusher in his career in 2023 (388) and he was able to capitalize, finishing third on the Vikings' with 32 pressures, almost 20 more than he had last season. Jones will enter the final season of his rookie deal in 2024 and he'll likely continue to contribute as a rotational pass rusher.

Jones tallied nine tackles (five solo) Sunday in a loss to the Packers.

Jones finished third on the Vikings with nine tackles in the defeat, recording his highest total this season. He also played on a campaign-high 95 percent of the team's defensive snaps after hovering around the 50-percent mark for most of the campaign. Jones' extended opportunity came as a result of D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) landing on IR last week due to injury, and Jones figures to see plenty of work again in Minnesota's regular-season finale Sunday in Detroit.

Jones had six total tackles, three tackles for a loss and a sack in Sunday's loss to Detroit.

It was Jones' first sack of the season as he played a season-high 52 snaps on defense. Jones could get more playing time and be depended on in the pass rush with D.J. Wonnum likely to miss time with a quad injury.

Jones didn't have a tackle but had two QB hurries, according to Pro Football Focus, in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.

Jones was heavily in the mix as an edger rusher by playing on 40 of the defense's 68 snaps. He struggled against the run in the loss, so he'll need to improve to stay in the rotation.

Jones (illness) was a full participant at practice Tuesday ahead of Saturday's game versus the Giants, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

After missing Minnesota's win versus Indianapolis in Week 15, Jones appears to be on track to return for Week 16. The 2021 third-rounder has tallied 19 tackles and three sacks through 13 games in 2022.

Jones (illness) is listed as inactive for Saturday's game against the Colts, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Jones came down with an illness Thursday, and it is bad enough to keep him sidelined against the Colts. His absence means Luiji Vilain could potentially see some extra snaps providing depth at weakside linebacker, especially if Danielle Hunter suffers any setbacks with his neck.

Jones (illness) didn't practice Thursday, per the team's official site.

Jones didn't partake in any of Thursday's practice after popping up on the injury report with an illness. With Minnesota set to host the Colts on Saturday, the 6-foot-4 linebacker will now carry a questionable tag into this weekend's matchup, and his availability status could ultimately come down to a game-time decision. If Jones ends up sitting out, Luiji Vilain and D.J. Wonnum are candidates to receive added snaps behind starters Danielle Hunter (neck) and Za'Darius Smith.

Jones had three total tackles and two sacks in Sunday's win at Miami.

Jones saw a large increase in playing time (38 snaps) on defense with D.J. Wonnum out with an illness and showed a spark in the pass rush. The 2021 third-round pick could become more a part of the rotation as a result.

Jones was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

Jones should now suit up Sunday against the Bears, after missing the Vikings' Week 17 loss to the Packers.

Jones was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Jones is now in danger of missing the Vikings' contest against the Packers on Sunday. If he is not able to clear protocols in time, Tashawn Bower will likely be likely at a significant increase in snaps.

Jones (knee) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Jones was inactive for Sunday's loss to the Cowboys but now appears to be past the knee injury. The rookie third-round pick has yet to make his NFL debut, though that could change soon with Danielle Hunter (pectoral) lost for the season.

Jones (knee) is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys.

Jones injured his knee in practice Thursday and sat out Friday. The Vikings will be without one of their depth options at defensive end for at least one week.