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Fantasy Football Week 11 Start or Sit: Jerick McKinnon

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By @Brandon__Raper

Jerick McKinnon Minnesota Vikings

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When Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson came to a plea agreement in his child abuse case in Texas, many expected the NFL to come to a quick decision regarding any further disciplinary action. However, while the league and the NFL Players Association continue to work through the issue, the majority of the Vikings’ rushing attack should be handled by Jerick McKinnon once again in Week 11. However, you’d be best served to consider other options before automatically plugging him into your fantasy lineup.

At first glance, the Week 11 matchup against the Chicago Bears looks tempting. The Bears are a team in turmoil becoming just the second team in history to give up 50 or more points in back-to-back games and losing five or their last six. Jay Cutler has been inconsistent at best recently, and the Vikings have found something of a groove, even if it has come against relatively weak competition.

McKinnon, to his credit, is averaging 5.0 yards per carry in his rookie campaign, and has received double-digit carries in four of the Vikings’ last five games. He’s been a pleasant surprise in a rocky 2014 season for the purple and gold. Unfortunately for him and his fantasy owners, he has yet to score his first career touchdown.

As the Vikings advance into the red zone, McKinnon all too often finds himself replaced by Matt Asiata, who two weeks ago took ten carries for just 26 yards…and three touchdowns. Combine the likelihood of at least one vultured goal-line series with the fact that the Bears rushing defense hasn’t been that bad – 15th in rushing yards allowed per game, with just five touchdowns given up – and you’ve got more of a gamble than you’d probably like to take.

Certainly, McKinnon is capable of putting up start-worthy numbers just on his expected volume of work, especially if you find yourself forced to bench a DeMarco Murray or Justin Forsett. Still, if given the choice, I’d rather run with a player like Terrance West or a returning Ryan Mathews at a position where consistency is king.

Brandon Raper is the lead golf writer and an NFL contributor for Rant Sports. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @Brandon__Raper, and join him on Google+.

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