Minnesota Vikings To Start Matt Asiata at Running Back Today
By Daniel
Minnesota Vikings starting running back Adrian Peterson has been deactivated for today’s game against the New England Patriots. It was reported by NFL Media’s Stacey Dales that Matt Asiata will be the team’s starting running back today.
Asiata, the 27 year old runner out of Utah, has seen limited action in his time in Minnesota. In 2013 he started one game in place of Peterson. In that start he ran the ball 30 times for only 51 yards. Although he did manage to score three touchdowns. Bizarre statline aside, the Vikings will be hoping for a bit more yards per rush in today’s contest.
Jerick McKinnon, Vikings rookie running back out of Georgia Southern University, is expected to be the primary backup.
Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (44) celebrates his touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Vikings win 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
This sad and troubling Peterson child-abuse story is continuing to unfold. As more details emerge as to what will happen with Peterson, the Vikings will figure out where to go from here. In the meantime, today’s game serves as Asiata’s first chance to prove that he is the Vikings’ long-term solution at the position. That is if Peterson is suspended in the coming days.
Minnesota (1-0) seemed poised to continue to unveil their potent offense today against the Patriots. That potency is definitely lessened without Peterson, but isn’t completely gone. Hybrid wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson is still an incredible weapon and Greg Jennings is as sure handed as wide receivers come in this league.
The New England Patriots (0-1) will definitely focus their defensive attention on Patterson. For the Vikings to run their offense they must have balance. If Asiata can have some success on the ground it will give Minnesota a chance today. That’s a big if, but we’ll know soon enough.
The Vikings host the Patriots at 1:00 PM EST on CBS.