Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Aaron Jones scored a touchdown in his debut with the Vikings during a Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. He bounced outside, won a footrace to the pylon, and jumped into the stands to celebrate.
Maybe a force of habit. After spending nearly a decade with the rival Green Bay Packers to start his career, Jones has gotten pretty used to Lambeau Leap. The touchdown celebration might be the NFL's most iconic.
Now that Jones is with the Vikings he plans to keep the tradition going. Except instead of calling it the Lambeau Leap, he will be calling it the Bank Vault. The play on words is a direct reference to where the Vikings play home games.
"The Bank is open on Sundays," Jones said with a laugh. "Yessir."
He almost got to unveil during a Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
After catching a screen pass from veteran quarterback Sam Darnold in the flat, Jones weaved his way through the open field and closed in on the end zone. As he lowered his shoulder near the goal line, 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner jarred the ball loose with a perfectly placed punch.
"It was tough," Jones said. "Just came up a little short."
Though he praised Warner for making an incredible play near the the goal line, Jones also took accountability for his own actions, emphasizing that importance of ball security in that moment.
"I can't let that happen," Jones said. "It's my job to take care of the ball and it won't happen again."
The next chance for Jones to bust out his touchdown celebration will come during a Week 3 matchup against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Though there is still some time until the Vikings officially take on the Texans, star receiver Justin Jefferson left little doubt about his availability for the game. Asked after practice on Wednesday afternoon at TCO Performance if he planned to play, Jefferson responded, "Yeah for sure."
"Just staying in the treatment room," Jefferson said. "Just working with those guys to make sure I'm feeling fantastic on Sunday."
Technically, Jefferson (quad) was listed as a limited participant in practice along with linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (quad). Meanwhile, receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) and edge rusher Dallas Turner (knee) did not participate in practice, leaving their availability very much up in the air.
As he continues to prove age is just a number, veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore celebrate 34 years old on Thursday.
"They were just calling me old," Gilmore said with a laugh. "It's been good. Lots of birthday wishes. It's a blessing to still be playing this game."
Asked how he has managed to play at such a high level so late in his career, Gilmore pointed to how he takes care of his body and how he eats on a daily basis. On that note, Gilmore noted how he planned to let his kids enjoy his birthday cake rather than eat it himself.
After promoting running back Myles Gaskin to the active roster this week, the Vikings filled the void on the practice squad by signing linebacker Max Tooley. He is a rookie from BYU who started his career as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans.