The Minnesota Vikings likely will keep Adrian Peterson out for their first 'real' preseason game against the Buccaneers on Saturday night and he likely will not play at all this summer and that could leave Jerick McKinnon to start ahead of Matt Asiata for Teddy Bridgewater, while players like Charles Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Stefon Diggs and Jarius Wright will try and make an impact.
Peterson was not expected to play in the preseason this year and he did not play in the Hall of Fame game against the Steelers last week. Adam Schefter on Twitter reported for ESPN that Peterson would not play in the HOF game and he followed that up by saying that Peterson is "unlikely to appear" at all in the preseason for the Vikings. Head coach Mike Zimmer said that Peterson does not need to get on the field during the preseason and that he will have a "heavy workload" once the season starts.
According to NFL.com, Peterson has not had a preseason carry in the NFL since back in 2011 against the Dallas Cowboys. Peterson has a ton of experience and clear he does not need reps in the preseason, even with missing 15 games last year. Peterson said to the media that he was not feeling as "explosive" as he usually does in camp, but that likely is carry over from being out of the NFL for a season. Peterson reportedly has a thigh injury, but Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that it is "minor" and should not be a lingering issue.
Jerick McKinnon said to Vensel that Peterson got "tangled up" and had a defensive player fall on him, but added that AP was "all right" afterwards. McKinnon is the second string back and he comes in after getting some solid work last season with Peterson out. McKinnon could play a big role in the preseason along with Asiata, as Peterson is not expected to play. McKinnon rushed for 538 yards last season and added 27 catches in 11 games and he could continue getting work behind Peterson this season.
McKinnon did not play much in the Hall of Fame game, putting up two rushes for two yards and catching one pass. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that McKinnon could be the third down back on "occasional" sets over Peterson, as he could be used more in the passing game this season. Teddy Bridgewater is coming into year two and with Peterson in tow, Bridgewater could have a big year.
Last season the rushing attack was not as consistent and that added pressure to Bridgewater and now he should have some more flexibility on offense. Charles Johnson emerged last season and he could be the main WR with Mike Wallace, while Cordarrelle Patterson can try and bounce back after a tough season. The improved rushing game could help Patterson and adding Wallace takes off some pressure for the young receiver. Last season Johnson had 31 catches in 11 games and this season he could double that, as offensive coordinator Norv Turner said Johnson "is our best receiver," according to Adam Caplan at ESPN.
