I really like Jerick McKinnon as the next feature back for the Vikings, if we’re being completely honest with each other.
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The latter half of the statement seemed to be in direct response to a report from Wednesday that claimed Peterson has a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in addition to the MCL. That danger goes double for the Carolina Panthers this week as they prepare for the Minnesota Vikings, who have been devastated by injuries this season.
So in what amounts to his last half season, Peterson has run 144 times for just 416 yards, averaging a paltry 2.9 yards per carry.
In 31 carries he managed a paltry 50 yards. “We’re planning on going with what we’ve got”.
“You have to treat things the same”, Asiata said of his game preparation. “But it’s part of the game”.
“I think you’ve seen he’s more than capable”, coach Jim Caldwell said. We’re going to miss him. Maybe it’s because he hasn’t had a fighting chance on most carries, but even as late as past year, he had that lateral move, even when the blocking collapsed in front of him. He struggled in the team’s first two games against the Titans and Packers, allowing pressure far too regularly. This is a team with a belief that they can win now. Luck said it was just sore and said he plans to play Sunday. He’s been watching the practice film on his iPad.
To their credit, they moved quickly and boldly after Bridgewater’s injury and traded for Bradford. During the Vikings’ five-game win streak a year ago, as they ascended out of obscurity and to the top of the NFC North, Zimmer occasionally went searching for naysayers, or asked team officials to find him a statistic he could use to rile up his players. They have to look at it as though they are going to be the bell cow in the backfield, despite the knowledge it likely won’t happen. Whether you’re starting or you’re not starting, you have to prepare like you are.
“It’s not like they don’t have players over there”, he added.
Unless they can prove that losing Peterson is actually a boost to their ground game - it won’t be - Minnesota’s offense will change from one built around running to one that relies on Bradford’s arm. It was one of four 100-yard games last season for Hillman, who managed just three yards on five carries in the Super Bowl.
CHIEFS: Coach Andy Reid called the prognosis of Jamaal Charles “all positive”, increasing the likelihood that the injured running back will get on the field this weekend.
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But Asiata is convinced the Vikings can weather the storm – or, in this case, a devastating hurricane. “Obviously we’ve had a few setbacks, but I think we can go back to previous year and think about some of the things that happened”. That’s fair, however, let’s not forget Dallas was coming off of a season in which they almost reached the NFC Championship game with largely the same roster (plus DeMarco Murray). “That boosts our confidence and our self-esteem”.
