During the offseason Adrian Peterson raved about running back Jerick McKinnon. Now the rookie is replacing All Day in the Minnesota Vikings' starting lineup.
With Peterson on the Commissioner's exempt list, McKinnon has leaped Matt Asiata as the starter on the depth chart.
"(It has been) a whirlwind," McKinnon said Thursday, per The Star Tribune. "Everything happened so fast. I think I prepare myself to be ready for whatever happens. There has definitely been a lot thrown my way, just from a rookie standpoint, going through a whole bunch of different things. But I think it's helped me in my progression to become a better NFL running back."
McKinnon is clearly the most dynamic back on the Vikings' roster. As his snap count from last week displayed, Minnesota is letting the shifty rookie loose. He handled 46 percent of the snaps and had 11 carries for 40 yards compared to just two for Asiata. The rookie also led the Vikings in receiving yards in the loss on six receptions for 42 yards. He was the Vikings' most dynamic playmaker last week.
The rookie will face another stiff test in his second career start Sunday when the Vikingsface off against the Buffalo Bills. Led by one of the stoutest front fours in all of football, the Bills lead the NFL in rush defense, allowing just 67.5 yards per game.
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