Vikings designate C Jones to return from IR

The Minnesota Vikings designated center Brett Jones to return from injured reserve Wednesday. Jones hurt his knee (torn MCL) in practice in mid-November and has played in only two games in the regular season.

He will be able to practice this week, but he won't be eligible to play until the following week if the Vikings can get past the Saints in Sunday's wild-card playoff game at the Superdome in New Orleans. Jones, 28, made three starts and played in 14 games in his first season with the Vikings in 2018.

An undrafted free agent from Canada, Jones played 30 games (14 starts) with the New York Giants from 2016-17.