The Minnesota Vikings may get Adrian Peterson back in Week 12, but now that he is suspended he could be out a bit longer and possibly the whole season and that makes Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata fantasy football options as a free agents for at least one more week and while it's likely Peterson returns this season, fantasy owners have to be aware that he could miss more time as the NFLPA and NFL go back and forth.
UPDATE: Peterson has been suspended and he will be appealing the suspension from the NFL.
Peterson was set for a hearing last week, but reports came out that he missed it since the NFLPA claimed that it was not a hearing that adheres to the CBA. According to Adam Schefter at ESPN.com, Peterson likely will play this season and while Week 12 may be too soon for fantasy owners to expect him back, Schefter said there is a chance it could be that soon. The Vikings could use Peterson in the offense, as they lost again on Sunday and that came to the Bears after Chicago was beaten badly the previous two weeks.
McKinnon had 38 yards to lead the Vikings on the ground on Sunday and he also added four catches on seven targets for 20 yards in the matchup with the Bears. The team did not look great on Sunday and the Bears basically kept the running backs at bay. Once Peterson returns it could open things up for the rushing game, but it likely will make McKinnon and Asiata marginal fantasy starts for owners after that.
Asiata had scored three TDs in his last game and that made him a strong fantasy football option and now he may not be as strong with Peterson coming back. Asiata had two yards on just one carry this week and he also added three catches for 12 yards in the game. Asiata was a disappointment, but the Vikings overall just couldn't get anything done on the offensive side of the ball. Asiata has 279 yards this season with six TDs and he has been a solid replacement with McKinnon for Peterson.
In other fantasy news, the Minnesota Vikings had a solid game this weekend from Jerick McKinnon and he could be a solid fantasy football starter moving forward for Adrian Peterson as Teddy Bridgewater continues to take over. The team is in the rebuilding process and that could eventually lead to a trade for Peterson and a team like the Dallas Cowboys could be an option after Jerry Jones expressed interest in AP this summer. That is a tough nut to crack, but Peterson could be on his way out after the season and for now fantasy owners should be ready to start him once he returns.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson may be making a return to the field soon and in the meantime, fantasy football owners should look at Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon as pickup options to start until he comes back, as Teddy Bridgewater and the offense will be getting both players involved along with Cordarrelle Patterson and Greg Jennings.