Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata will reportedly start against the Carolina Panthers Sunday. Running back Jerick McKinnon is inactive and newly-acquired Ben Tate is not up to speed yet.
Matt Asiata will reportedly start at running back, has fantasy value
Matt Asiata is expected to start at running back against the Carolina Panthers. We break down the fantasy implications.
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Banyard is expected to get some touches as the No. 2 back. He had five carries for 26 yards against the Green Bay Packers and is also decent out of the backfield.
The matchup is a good one for the Vikings and their ground game. The Panthers are the third-worst defense against fantasy running backs and have given up five two-touchdown games to opposing running backs in their last eight games.
The Vikings are absolutely going to need to run the ball because quarterback Teddy Bridgewater can't throw the ball down the field. Plus, that means there could be some check-down plays.
Fantasy impact: Asiata is actually a decent play in daily leagues and is worth a look as a low-end RB2 in this plus matchup.
