Jordan Mason is heading to injured reserve for at least four games; Aaron Jones may no longer be an optimal bellcow running back (these days, anyway); Demond Claiborne is a rookie with undetermined game readiness; and the Chicago Bears stole halfback Zavier Scott from the practice squad a couple of weeks ago.
That’s the state of play at running back for the Minnesota Vikings after just one week of the NFL season. If the club needs an emergency RB option after Jones, Claiborne, DeeJay Dallas, and Jerome Ford, these are the options.
Here’s a look at the aftermarket.
Five Emergency RB Options for the Vikings
1. Cam Akers
Old faithful. Leaving him off would feel irresponsible.
The Vikings have already reunited with him enough times that another phone call would barely qualify as news. Minnesota brought Akers back in 2025 before releasing him in November, and Seattle later gave him a brief look. He is a free agent again, which means a familiar door remains open.
Akers would not arrive to rescue the offense. His 2025 production amounted to five carries for 19 yards with Seattle. Still, he knows Kevin O’Connell’s system and has worked with much of the current offensive infrastructure before. That familiarity could become useful if Minnesota suddenly needs a back who can function without two weeks of installation.
Younger options have more upside, but Akers is the easy button.
2. Antonio Gibson
Gibson is the most accomplished free agent of this group, although his knee makes the conversation significantly more complicated. New England released him in February after a torn ACL ended his 2025 season after five games. Before the injury, Gibson had accumulated 3,287 rushing yards and another 1,495 as a receiver.
The versatility would fit Minnesota rather nicely. Gibson has spent his career as more than a between-the-tackles runner, which would give O’Connell another back who can contribute on passing downs while Aaron Jones handles his normal workload. He also has return experience.
Everything, however, depends on the medical evaluation. Gibson is appealing if the knee is fully ready for NFL work. If not, Minnesota has little reason to manufacture urgency. The resume is plenty attractive.
3. Khalil Herbert
The Vikings would have to pluck this man from the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad.
Stealing might be worthwhile if Minnesota wants somebody with an established NFL rushing track record. Herbert has 1,957 career yards on 416 carries, averaging roughly 4.7 yards per attempt. His 2025 season with the Jets produced only 52 yards, but several previous seasons demonstrated legitimate burst and rotational value. Herbert is not some unknown player waiting to prove he belongs.
The question is whether Minnesota likes him enough to burn a 53-man roster spot. That probably becomes realistic only if another injury occurs or the current replacements disappoint.
Regardless, Herbert is exactly the sort of practice squad veteran worth keeping on the refrigerator door – – just like Jerome Ford.
4. Kareem Hunt
Each year, it feels like a team – – usually the Kansas City Chiefs — ends up signing Hunt, and few regret it.
Hunt is 31 years old, which ordinarily sends NFL teams sprinting in the other direction at running back. Yet Hunt remained useful for Kansas City last season, leading the Chiefs with 611 rushing yards while scoring eight touchdowns on 163 carries.
Minnesota would not be shopping for 2017 Kareem Hunt but rather RB depth for a suddenly suspect roster spot. Hunt has extensive experience on passing downs and still proved effective near the goal line last year. That is useful enough for an emergency addition.
The concern is obvious. Hunt averaged only 3.7 yards per carry, and running backs rarely become more explosive after turning 31.
5. Devin Neal
If you’re a draft head, this name will resonate. Neal provides the younger alternative. New Orleans drafted him in the 6th round last year, and he produced 206 rushing yards on 57 attempts as a rookie while catching 17 passes for another 104 yards. The Saints later released him after an injury settlement, and a hamstring problem followed him into 2026.
Neal is only 23, so Minnesota would be buying more than emergency depth. He has developmental appeal if the hamstring checks out, and he showed enough during his rookie season to warrant another look, especially for a Vikings team suddenly examining the lower levels of its running back room.
The injury, of course, is the sticking point. A lingering hamstring issue isn’t especially useful at a position built around acceleration. If Neal is healthy, though, Minnesota could add somebody with upside instead of immediately reaching for another veteran retread.
Sometimes when teams release a player with an injury designation, he pops up in the league sooner than many expect. That’s the angle here.
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VikesNow Verdict: Akers is the easiest reunion because he already knows the offense, while Gibson and Herbert offer more upside if Minnesota wants to be aggressive. Hunt supplies veteran insurance, and Neal is the developmental swing. For now, Jones and Claiborne keep this from becoming urgent-urgent.
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