Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones pays tribute to his late teammate Khyree Jackson weekly after the rookie passed away before making his NFL debut.

The Oregon product was selected by the Vikings with the 108th pick in 2024 before sadly passing away in a tragic car accident in July at age 24.

Speaking with the Sunday Night Football crew after the Vikings defeated the Colts on Nov. 3, Jones, 29, revealed that he places flowers in Jackson’s locker every week.

“I usually put flowers in Khyree Jackson’s locker,” Jones said. ‘So I passed by and saw the flowers. I was the only one there.

Jones also added that he took an extra pause for his late teammate on Sunday, nearly four months after his passing.

Aaron Jones pays tribute to late teammate Khyree Jackson by placing flowers at her locker

“I just spent a moment with him and told him tonight was for him,” Jones told the SNF hosts.

The running back also mentioned sharing a moment with Jackson’s parents before the game.

“And then when I got here, warming up, I turned around and saw his parents,” Jones added. “His parents were here and I shared that story with them.”

The fatal crash occurred while a driver “was attempting to change lanes while driving at a high rate of speed,” according to Maryland State Police.

Two of Jackson’s former classmates at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, Isaiah Hazel, 23, and Anthony Lytton Jr., 24, also died in the crash, which took place in Prince George’s County. in Maryland. Hazel was driving the Dodge Charger with Jackson riding shotgun and Lytton sitting in the back.

Jackson was drafted by the Vikings during the offseason and died in a car accident in June.

After the accident, the Vikings announced that his locker and jersey number, 31, would not be used during the season. Additionally, players wear decals on their helmets with the initials ‘KJ’, while staff members wear special badges to honor Jackson’s life.

Jones was drafted by the Packers in 2017 and remained in Green Bay until last year before moving to Minnesota.

The former UTEP star said he had a “moment of gratitude” during Sunday’s win.

“It just gave me a moment of gratitude,” he shared. “How grateful I am to be able to play this game, the game I love.”

Jones recorded 64 yards on 21 carries in Minnesota’s 21-13 victory and they improved to 6-2, ranking second in the NFC North.