Vikings stay coy about quarterback Daniel Jones' role against Rams

Vikings backup quarterback Daniel Jones said Saturday he’s “preparing for whatever the situation is” at No. 2 quarterback Monday night in the wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams.

It was the first time the ex-Giants starter spoke publicly since the week he arrived in Minnesota. He was signed to the active roster from the practice squad Tuesday.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell declined to say whether Jones’ role for Monday has been ironed out. He instead offered a statement similar to the one he made earlier in the week, adding that Nick Mullens has been the team’s No. 2 this season “for a reason.”

Mullens last appeared in the Vikings' 21-point win over the Falcons on Dec. 8. His last pass completion was against the Bears two weeks before that, when he found running back Aaron Jones for 14 yards to convert a third down in the overtime win against the Bears.

“We wanted to make sure as we hopefully move forward over the next month that we’re gonna do the things that give us the best chance to win,” O’Connell said. “That very easily could be something that may look different here and there, but obviously not something that, for the benefit of our players and our quarterbacks, I need to be discussing here at this podium.”

For the Vikings to have three quarterbacks on the active gameday roster, another player would have to be listed as inactive. Otherwise, the third quarterback would not be able to play unless both the No. 1 and 2 options were injured.

Jones has not appeared in a game since the Giants' 20-17 overtime loss to the Panthers on Nov. 10.

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.”

“He’s close, but I think we want him to feel as close to 100% knowing the type of game this is,” O’Connell said. “He tried to work his way back, but absolutely something where I anticipate next week maybe looking a little bit different for Pat. We wanted to be smart.”

Running back Cam Akers missed practice Saturday with an illness and will be questionable. It comes a day after running back Ty Chandler missed practice for the same reason; he returned to practice Saturday.

O’Connell said Akers is expected to be able to play Monday.

Rookie defensive lineman Taki Taimani is also questionable. He returned to practice from injured reserve Thursday and has been a full participant in practice all week.

O’Connell said Taimani has been “doing well, no setbacks” in his return from his Nov. 2 ankle injury.