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After sitting out 15 games of the 2014 season, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has proven any doubters (including one right here) wrong this season. The 30-year old leads the NFL in rushing with 1,418 yards heading into the final week of the regular season, but second-year back Jerick McKinnon has become a more prominent part of Minnesota’s offense over the last two games.
After putting up 86 total yards (76 receiving) on 11 touches (four catches) with a receiving touchdown in Week 15, McKinnon had seven carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns along with two catches for eight yards against the New York Giants on Sunday night. A one-sided result was a factor in McKinnon seeing more action, but his 68-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter put his speed on display and further sealed a victory for the Vikings.
According to ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling, via ESPN Stats and Information, McKinnon ran six routes as a receiver in Week 15. He was also split out wide twice and deployed in the slot once against the Giants, and he was on the field with Peterson for a play. It seems Vikings’ offensive coordinator Norv Turner is finally finding a way to integrate McKinnon into what has been a Peterson-centric offense this season, which is a good sign for the future.
As a rookie in 2014, McKinnon was forced into a more prominent role than initially expected with Peterson absent. But the former option quarterback at Georgia Southern did well with the opportunity, averaging 4.8 yards per carry (two 100-yard rushing games) along with 27 receptions as part of a backfield duo with Matt Asiata.
The Vikings are not significantly attached to Peterson financially beyond this season, in terms of guaranteed money, and he will turn 31 in March. Anyone with the idea Peterson will repeat this year’s success in 2016 needs to look no further than Curtis Martin, who led the NFL in rushing at age-31 in 2004 (1,697 yards) before averaging just 3.3 yards per carry in 2005 and never playing again after that. Peterson is an atypical player from a physical stand point, but age is an undefeated element for any athlete.
The future after Peterson is coming quickly for the Vikings, with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater sure to lead the way for the offense and become the face of the franchise. But McKinnon is next in line to be the team’s No. 1 running back, and he looks plenty able to replace Peterson once he gets the chance.
Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
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