What is confirmed
Mason is still on IR until the team makes the move official. Minnesota opened his 21-day practice window on Oct. 19, and he practiced in full all week. On Friday, head coach Kevin O'Connell listed him as questionable and said "things are looking positive for him to be available."
The Vikings also released running back DeeJay Dallas on Friday, according to the league's transaction log. That opened a spot on the 53-man roster, which Minnesota needs before it can bring Mason back.
What is still pending
The activation itself. Fowler's word is that the plan holds if Mason gets through today without a setback, so expect an answer before Sunday.
Mason has been out since he fractured his thumb in the Week 1 win over Green Bay and had surgery. Aaron Jones Sr. carried the bigger share of the backfield work while he was gone.
What RSO owners should do now
If Mason sits in your IR slot, plan to move him to your active roster once Minnesota posts the move, and decide now who you would cut or bench to make room. In a first game back from a hand injury, treat him as a flex option, with his value tied to early downs and short-yardage work rather than receiving.
Jones owners should expect his carries to shrink some on Sunday. Neither back looks like a lineup lock in a split, so a safer RB2 elsewhere on your roster deserves a look.
If Mason is a free agent in your league, a modest claim makes sense for teams thin at running back. Keep the contract short until his role is clear.
What to watch next
Watch for the official activation this afternoon, then Sunday's inactive list about 90 minutes before the 1 PM ET kickoff. After the game, the snap and carry split between Mason and Jones will tell you more than any practice report did.
