Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was hushed in his first game of the 2015 season by the San Francisco 49ers, but also by his own team's play calling, which limited him to 13 touches in the 20-3 loss.
Mike Zimmer: Adrian Peterson’s low Week 1 stats due to poor game situation, remains a fantasy RB1
Adrian Peterson didn’t turn-in a stat line in his 2015 debut that was indicative of his usual self. We break down the fantasy implications.
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But according to head coach Mike Zimmer, Peterson’s low amount of touches were due to unfavorable game flow, per a report from Dave Birkett of Detroit Free Press.
“You’re always trying to get the ball to your best player,” Zimmer said. “But sometimes game situations dictate other things that happen, so it’s just the way that games go sometimes, I think.”
Fantasy Spin: A poor game script can dash the fantasy production of any player, but Zimmer’s explanation isn’t reassuring. The Vikings trailed by seven points at the half and called Peterson’s number just four times in that span.
Against a Detroit Lions defense that was stout against the run in Week 1, Peterson will have his work cut out for him once again. There still isn't enough reason to consider him anything besides an RB1 for Week 2, but fantasy owners would have to see more chances for him going forward if he is to keep that designation.
