49ers RB Jeff Wilson (calf) is expected to play against the Patriots today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He'll join Jerick McKinnon and JaMycal Hasty in San Francisco's backfield. Wilson isn't a bankable fantasy play but could handle goal-line work for the 'Niners today.
Vikings insider Matt Vensel expects a 65-35 carry split in favor of Jerick McKinnon over Matt Asiata for as long as Adrian Peterson is out. "Asiata as the goal-line guy," Vensel adds. McKinnon figures to handle most of the passing-down work. Over their final 7 games together with Peterson out back in 2014, McKinnon out-carried Asiata 93 to 58 and out-targeted him 30-20. A similar split this year would make McKinnon a RB2 with upside and Asiata a TD dependent RB3 or flex.
Vikings OC Norv Turner said RBs Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon will play against the Saints on Sunday. He added that he "might use 1 more if he gets a hot hand." That's a bit surprising since McKinnon doesn't seem ready for a significant role. He's still not a Week 3 fantasy option but is definitely worth stashing. Turner's comment makes Asiata a riskier fantasy play. A subpar NFL talent, he's unlikely to develop that hot hand.
Rookie Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon led the team with 12 carries and 45 yards in Friday night's preseason opener against the Raiders. RB Matt Asiata started, carried 3 times for 13 yards and scored the team's lone TD before turning the backfield over to McKinnon on the 2nd drive. "Jerick has got great acceleration, he’s got great hands, he’s tough, he’s thick, he’s powerful and it showed,” HC Mike Zimmer told the Minneapolis Star Tribune afterward. It's too early to read into the order of playing time between McKinnon and Asiata, especially considering that one's a rookie and the other a returning player. McKinnon offers more quickness than the pounding style of Asiata, which could mean a workload split if Adrian Peterson gets hurt in the regular season. For now, we'll continue to watch the backup battle play out before targeting either as a handcuff.
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