Editor’s update: The Vikings have changed things up and announced Matt Asiata as the starter vs. the Panthers. This does not mean he will necessarily get more snaps, but it is a change from the earlier depth chart.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 3: Jerick McKinnon has some massive shoes to fill [Update]
The Vikings running back is now the team’s starter after an injury to Adrian Peterson last week. We explore the fantasy implications.
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In reality, Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon would always love to get more snaps and opportunities to make plays on the field. Well, whether he is ready or not, he has now been shifted into the role of the team’s starting running back after Adrian Peterson went down with a significant knee injury in Week 2.
While McKinnon is technically listed on the team’s depth chart as their number one running back right now, he figures to split some of his snaps with Matt Asiata and eventually Ronnie Hillman this season.
Fantasy Impact: In his first start of 2016, McKinnon will get a matchup against a tough Carolina Panthers defense. However, if there is one weakness of the Panthers’ defense, it would be their ability to contain the opposing team’s running backs.
Last season, Carolina allowed opposing running backs to gain around 4.7 yards per touch. Through two games this year, that average is pretty much the same as the Panthers’ defense is still allowing about 4.7 yards per touch to opposing running backs.
McKinnon should have a solid day this weekend as Yahoo! projects the running back to gain 66 total yards on 15 touches. But a few slip ups by Carolina’s defense and those numbers could end up being a lot larger at the end of the day on Sunday.
