The coaching staff pulled him as a precaution with the Vikings up 27-10 at the fourth quarter’s start.
“I was good,” Jones said postgame. “I kept warm just in case they needed me. Kept my helmet on.”
Jones finished with 12 carries for 47 yards. He helped set up Akers’ touchdown, after thinking he was going to take it in himself a couple of plays earlier only to be caught by the ankles at the 7.
Ty Chandler also played an increased role in the fourth quarter. He carried five times as the Vikings tried to run out the clock late in the game.
“To be able to come in and be ready, not miss a beat, no drop-off, come in and make plays, be a pro, that’s what he do. That’s what Ty do,” Akers said. “Nobody’s shocked by him coming in and having success. We were able to come in and give Aaron some relief, and that’s what we did.”
Vikings outside linebacker Pat Jones II did not play the second half of Sunday’s game.