The Minnesota Vikings are dealing with injuries in areas they cannot afford to. The team has been plagued with offensive inconsistencies for much of the season after changes at quarterback and struggles from top players. Week 14 does not appear to be getting any better in that area as the Vikings' big receiver Cordarrelle Patterson is being benched and now running back Jerick McKinnon will not play as the team takes on the New York Jets.
According to ProFootballTalk.com, McKinnon has been officially ruled out of Sunday's game as he continues to suffer through a lower back injury. The team's leading rusher did not practice all week after missing out on the win against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers got by with Matt Asiata as the starter, but losing McKinnon is a blow. The running back has 538 yards to his name, taking over after Adrian Peterson was ruled off the team.
Could the absence of McKinnon mean Ben Tate finally gets some carries? The Vikings acquired Tate after he was released by the Cleveland Browns. Tate has been very vocal about his desire to start at running back from someone, but so far he has yet to be giving that chance as he is now on his third team in his short career. Many believed he could start for the Vikings, but that job remains McKinnon's. Tate stressed he has no expectations regarding his role with the Vikings, but he hopes to play.
"I'm just excited and happy to here," Tate said, via the Pioneer Press. "I don't have a certain expectation or a certain this or that; I'm just trying to learn the playbook and give it 100 percent and try to do whatever I can to help this team win."
It appears that Asiata will get the starting nod with Tate being the backup. He rushed for 52 yards against the Panthers. Asiata will not be the only new starter for the Vikings. Patterson has been benched in favor of Charles Johnson who offensive coordinator Norv Turner believes is playing better than the former first-round draft pick. He will join Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright as the top targets for Teddy Bridgewater.
