Minnesota Vikings: Preseason Week 3 stock down

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Aug 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA;Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (31) carries the ball against Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jeremy Mincey (92) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

1) Jerick McKinnon, running back, Minnesota Vikings

Jerick McKinnon was not one of the two Minnesota Vikings running backs to post a combined 51 yards on just 11 carries against the Dallas Cowboys.

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Instead, McKinnon struggled to amass 10 yards on six attempts, continuing a preseason that has been lackluster at best.

The fourth-lowest graded running back by Pro Football Focus through the 2015 preseason, McKinnon has just 40 yards on 25 attempts so far. That 1.8 yard average is a far cry from his 4.8 yard average during the regular season in 2014.

McKinnon was a pleasant rookie addition to the Vikings last season, providing 538 yards in 11 games.

What we’re seeing so far this preseason is that McKinnon is in for a very serious sophomore slump.

With running backs like Joe Banyard and Dominique Williams finding room to run and Matt Asiata impressing still, McKinnon is quickly becoming the odd man out at running back. McKinnon’s production last year should keep him safe on the roster, but it’s clear that something is off with the the second-year running back.

The preseason is nearly over and McKinnon has shown very little to warrant more opportunities than his peers. I would like to see him return to form, but I find it hard to believe the coaching staff will pass up others who are producing nearly five yards a carry for a player who can’t even dive forward for a couple yards.

Next: Kicking continues to be a problem

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