The scoring route was one McCarthy and Jones executed successfully a few times throughout training camp; Jones breaks out of the backfield around right tackle Brian O’Neill and heads deep, slanting outside the numbers after about 10 yards up the field.
“We’ve been practicing,” Jones said. “It’s funny, after we ran it, [offensive coordinator] Wes [Phillips] goes, ‘That’s been in the queue. We’ve been practicing that one.’ And I’m like, ‘You’re 100% right.’ This shows you practice pays off, and I’m just glad they trusted me in that situation.”
Jones said the success of the play comes when head coach Kevin O’Connell decides to call it at just the right time. Jones lines up wide to go deep on some other plays, like the one that ended up drawing a 42-yard defensive pass interference on Bears safety Nahshon Wright in the first half. It’s starting the play in the backfield that throws defenders off. Typically, he runs an out-breaking or flat route if he’s not at the line for the snap.
McCarthy said he wished he dropped it more in stride for Jones so he hadn’t needed to turn away from the defender to score.
Over at least the next two weeks, as No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison remains out because of suspension, the Vikings are likely to call on Jones to have a heavier presence in the receiving game.
They did so last year while Addison was out because of an injury, but didn’t have a complement like Mason to keep the ground game anchored.