The Minnesota Vikings announced Adrian Peterson has a torn meniscus. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Peterson has not been ruled out for Week 3.
While the Vikings have not ruled Peterson out, it seems unlikely that Peterson would not miss time with the injury. He had to be helped off the field during Sunday’s game and was seen on crutches in the locker room. While the Vikings have been optimistic since the injury, it is likely we see a running back by committee on Sunday. The question for fantasy owners looking to make their waiver wire claims is what Vikings fantasy running back they should pick up this week.
It appeared Jerick McKinnon would be the Vikings running back to own, but the Vikings played Matt Asiata a lot after Peterson went down. For those playing in PPR leagues, McKinnon is the player to add while those in standard scoring leagues may want to look at Asiata given he is likely to get more of the carries.
Asiata received six carries in the game against Green Bay while McKinnon only received two. Both players had one reception. It is worth noting the Vikings were ahead in the game, and Asiata would be the back of choice to look to run some time off the clock.
McKinnon was much more fantasy relevant in 2015 than Asiata. However, Asiata was fantasy relevant in 2014 when Peterson was suspended for the season. He had six games with double-digit fantasy points in standard leagues.
His 2014 highlights include games of 28, 23, and 19 point performances. While it is worth monitoring reports out of Minnesota during the week, the wise move is to pick up Asiata in standard leagues and McKinnon in PPR formats.