If Vikings coach Mike Zimmer’s goal Wednesday was to crush the souls of fantasy football players, he can count the day a success. On a conference call with Bills reporters ahead of the Minnesota’s Week 7 clash with Buffalo, Zimmer said he would like to get Matt Asiata more touches this week after Asiata was out-touched 17-3 by Jerick McKinnon against the Lions.
In Zimmer’s defense, McKinnon did struggle in pass protection against the Lions, and the Vikings cannot have Teddy Bridgewater getting sacked eight times a game. Asiata can protect the quarterback better than McKinnon, and has made several impact plays in the passing game this season. It makes some sense for the Vikings to get Asiata more than the eight snaps he saw on passing downs last week.
That should be the extent of his expanded workload, though. McKinnon is a much more explosive runner than Asiata, and gives the Vikings’ struggling offense a dangerous weapon out of the backfield. Asiata is certainly the “dependable” option, but dependable is not what an offense that has scored 10 or fewer points in four of six games this season needs. McKinnon should continue to dominate the early-down work, and will be a high-upside player as long as the workload cooperates.
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In Other News…
Calvin Johnson said there is still pain in his sprained ankle, and that he will not return to the lineup until he can do everything at a high level. Johnson would like to play this week, but it makes more sense for the Lions to hold him out until he is completely healthy. It does not sound like he is anywhere close to that point right now.
Kelvin Benjamin suffered a concussion during the Panthers’ Week 6 tie with the Bengals when he was hit illegally by Vontaze Burfict. Benjamin was allowed to finish the game after passing concussion tests on the sideline, and was not entered into concussion protocol until he complained of “a little headache” on Monday. He missed practice on Wednesday, and is uncertain for the Panthers’ game against the Packers this weekend. Brenton Bersin and Philly Brown would see an expanded role if Benjamin is unable to play.
Mark Ingram (hand) said he is a full go at Saints practice this week. He is taking handoffs, catching passes and not being “babied” back into action. Ingram should return to the role he filled before the injury, though his stranglehold on the early-down work might have been loosened by the play of Khiry Robinson over the last three games. Ingram is still a good bet for 12-to-15 carries a game and should dominate goal-line touches, but the uncertain workload makes him nothing more than a low-end RB2 against the Lions’ stingy run defense this week.
Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Robert Griffin III (ankle) will be the starting quarterback once he is “ready physically and mentally.” Griffin struggled out of the gate this season, but Kirk Cousins has thrown eight interceptions over the last four games, which were all Washington losses. Griffin has the most upside of the two, and need snaps to develop into a more complete NFL quarterback. This season is the perfect time to get them.
Zac Stacy missed Rams practice on Wednesday. Coach Jeff Fisher said there were no physical issues with Stacy in Monday’s loss to the 49ers, but he is now apparently dealing with an ankle injury. Stacy was outplayed and out-snapped by Benny Cunningham on Monday night, and will continue to lose carries as rookie Tre Mason becomes more involved in the offense. He is not worth starting against the Seahawks this week.
Ryan Mathews (knee) did not practice on Wednesday, and still has not been cleared to start running. He is certainly out this week, and is very unlikely to be ready in time for San Diego’s Thursday night game against the Broncos Week 8. Mathews could return for the Chargers’ matchup with the Dolphins Week 9, but San Diego may decide to let Mathews rest through their Week 10 bye. Mathews needs to be held in most leagues, but he will not be on the field anytime soon.
Cowboys LT Tyron Smith injured his ankle against the Seahawks Week 6. He attempted individual drills during practice Wednesday, but was bothered by the ankle. An MRI after practice revealed Smith avoided a high-ankle sprain, giving him a chance to suit up this weekend. Perhaps the best left tackle in the league, Smith’s absence would be a huge blow for a Cowboy’s line already without RT Doug Free for at least the next three weeks. Smith’s status should be updated on Thursday.
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News and Notes
A.J. Green (toe) did not practice on Wednesday, and is unlikely to play against the Colts this week. Mohamed Sanu saw 15 targets as the No. 1 receiver in Cincinnati last week. … Tom Brady (ankle) is probable for Thursday night’s matchup with the Jets. His ankle “injury” is a non-factor. Brady is a borderline QB1 in a great matchup. … Eric Decker (hamstring) and David Nelson (ankle) are both probable for Thursday night’s game against the Patriots. Greg Salas (ankle, wrist) has been ruled out. … Rashad Jennings (knee) has been ruled out for Week 7 against the Cowboys. Andre Williams will once again carry the load. Jennings is expected back after the Giants’ Week 8 bye. … Jonathan Stewart practiced in full on Wednesday. With DeAngelo Williams (ankle) still sidelined and Fozzy Whittaker limited by a quad injury, Stewart should be the clear-cut No. 1 back for Carolina this week. … Coach Jim Harbaugh said he does not believe ILB Patrick Willis’ toe injury is a long-term issue. He is still unlikely to play this week. … Jadeveon Clowney (knee) has a 50-50 chance to play this week. He has been sidelined since the season opener with a torn meniscus. … Joseph Randle will not be suspended after his arrest for shoplifting. He is still the DeMarco Murray handcuff to own. … Leonard Hankerson (knee, PUP) returned to Redskins practice Wednesday. Washington has 21 days to activate him. … Jarrett Boykin (groin) returned to practice on Wednesday after missing the last three games. Boykin has likely been “Pipped” by Davante Adams, who saw eight targets against the Dolphins last week. … Zach Miller (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 7. Luke Willson will continue to start in his place. … LT Branden Albert may be unable to play in the Dolphins’ Week 7 matchup with the Bears after suffering an elbow injury last week. … D.J. Hayden (foot, PUP) returned to Raiders practice Wednesday. Oakland has 21 days to move him to the active roster. … Titans TE Craig Stevens is out for the rest of the season after undergoing quad surgery on Wednesday. ... Bengals signed LB Nico Johnson off the Chiefs’ practice squad. … Jets activated OLB Antwan Barnes from the reserve/PUP list.
Injury Quick Slants
Jimmy Graham (shoulder), DeMarco Murray (illness), Andre Ellington (rest), Greg Olsen (ankle), Juwan Thompson (knee), Donald Brown (concussion), Shonn Greene (hamstring), Harry Douglas (foot), Toby Gerhart (foot), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (hamstring, ankle), Josh McCown (thumb), Theo Riddick (hamstring), Stevie Johnson (hip) and Austin Pettis (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday.
Julio Jones (ankle), Lamar Miller (knee), Reggie Bush (ankle), Michael Floyd (groin), Ryan Tannehill (ankle), Jake Locker (thumb), Charles Clay (knee), Eric Ebron (hamstring), Devin Hester (hamstring), Darrin Reaves (calf) and Brandon Gibson (hamstring) were limited in practice on Wednesday.
Cordarrelle Patterson (hip), Carson Palmer (shoulder), Cecil Shorts (hamstring), Eddie Royal (elbow) and Marlon Brown (hip) were full participants in practice on Wednesday.
