Vikings starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who went through a similar situation when he joined the 49ers last year, has previously spoken about his experience as a backup benefiting him.
“You always wanna be on the field,” Jones said. “You always wanna be playing and competing, so that part’s tough, but, yeah, I do feel like I’ve learned a bit here in this period of time.”
Darnold said Thursday it has been helpful to bounce ideas off Jones and watch tape with him given his experience, which includes two playoff games in 2023 — the most playoff games of any Vikings quarterback.
Jones said watching Darnold and being in meetings with him has sped along his absorption of the Vikings’ playbook.
“The way he prepares, how hard he works, that’s something I’ve been really impressed with,” Jones said. “He turns over every stone, thinks about every situation.”
Outside linebacker Pat Jones II is the only Vikings player out for Monday night. It will be his third straight missed game because of a knee injury suffered against the Packers in Week 17.