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There is only one running back who has finished with a top-three fantasy ranking over the past four seasons, and that player is Adrian Peterson. While you could make the argument that there are better all-around backs in the league, there is little doubt that Peterson is the best pure runner in the NFL. In just four years, he has rushed for 5,785 yards and 52 touchdowns and caught 119 passes for another 1,170 yards and two more touchdowns. Let’s put it in perspective. Peterson averages 13.5 touchdowns per season, which would qualify as a career year for most running backs and is 3.5 more than Steven Jackson has scored over the last two years combined—and Jackson is regularly mentioned as a lower-tier RB1. Peterson’s is money in the bank and a near-certain bet to remain highly productive in 2011. The issue of having a new quarterback in the Vikings’ system drops AP down a notch, but he remains a lock to finish in the top five if he avoids the injury bug.
Frazier wants to use Gerhart more-- Wed Jan 25 1:34 am -- Minnesota backfield one to watch in 2012
MOBILE, Ala. -- The Minnesota Vikings apparently plan to find more work next season for Toby Gerhart, and not just because Adrian Peterson is recovering from knee reconstruction surgery.
"The only thing that'll change our approach as much as anything is the way Toby performed for us down the stretch in Adrian's absence," coach Leslie Frazier said after Tuesday's practices at the Senior Bowl.
"He really did a great job for us and showed us that he is worthy of more carries. We want to be able to get him more involved in our offense going forward."
(1500ESPN.com)
FF Today's Take:Gerhart averaged 4.1 ypc over 279 carries during the final 5 weeks of the season in 2011. However, he failed to find paydirt once during that span. Adrian Peterson's injury alone should help net Gerhart more carries next season but his value will remain limited unless he can find the end zone more often. Additionally, Frazier later noted the lack of depth at the position and the team's intentions of looking for another running back during the draft.
AP to begin rehabilitation process-- Fri Jan 13 7:00 pm -- Vikes' star RB on road to recovery from knee injury
Adrian Peterson is done with the painful first two weeks that followed surgery to reconstruct the ACL in his left knee. The Minnesota Vikings running back and head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman met with reporters on Friday to give an update on his recovery. Peterson ruptured the ACL and tore the MCL in his knee against the Washington Redskins on Dec. 24. All indications are that the surgery went well and Peterson says it remains his goal to be ready for Week 1 next season. Peterson says he is confident that he will make a full recovery and come back "better than I was before."
(SI)
FF Today's Take:It's doubtful that Peterson returns "better than he was before" but with the progression of new surgical procedures and physiotherapy treatments, an ACL and MCL tear aren't career-ending injuries like they were 20 or even 10 years ago.
AP also dealing with meniscus damage-- Mon Dec 26 4:25 pm -- Along with torn ACL and MCL
The Minnesota Vikings say they're hopeful about having Adrian Peterson on the field for the first game of the 2012 season.
Head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman confirmed a report that Peterson tore his MCL in addition to his ACL in his left knee on a hit from Redskins safety DeJon Gomes in the third quarter of Saturday's win at Washington.
Peterson also suffered "some injury" to both the medial and lateral meniscus -- a non-displaced injury, Sugarman said. His posterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligaments are normal.(ESPN 1500 Twin Cities)
FF Today's Take:Surgery could occur within 7-10 days, although that depends how quickly Peterson regains range of motion and the swelling subsides. If AP undergoes surgery in early January, he would be almost exactly eight months into his recovery when the 2012 season opener rolls around in early September. As a result, AP is a very likely candidate for the PUP list at that time. Toby Gerhart will draw the Week 17 start and needs to be moved up cheat sheets for 2012 drafts.
Peterson suffers torn ACL-- Sun Dec 25 10:30 am -- Vikings star RB questionable for the start of 2012
A MRI exam Saturday night confirmed Adrian Peterson suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament. That injury could keep Peterson from being available to the Vikings at the start of the 2012 season. As if Peterson's injury wasn't bad enough, on the next play Christian Ponder took a vicious shot to the head while being sacked by Adam Carriker and London Fletcher, producing concussion-like symptoms that ended the rookie quarterback's day.(Minneapolis Star Tribune)
FF Today's Take:Peterson was injured early in the third quarter after rushing for 38 yards and 1 TD in the first half. Toby Gerhart will start for the Vikes in Week 17.
Adrian Peterson close to 100%-- Thu Dec 22 7:20 pm -- Vikings RB ready to roll against Redskins this week
FF Today's Take:Good news in Championship week. After griping about a lack of carries last week expect Peterson ho handle a heavy workload this week. Peterson is a must-start aginst Washington.
S-Jax nearing milestone-- Wed Dec 21 5:35 pm -- Rams RB needs 34 yards to join elite company
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is on the verge of a milestone. With just 34 more yards rushing he will become the seventh player in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards in seven or more consecutive seasons. Only Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin, Thurman Thomas, Eric Dickerson and LaDainian Tomlinson have done it.(ESPN)
FF Today's Take:Jackson isn't often mentioned in the same class of stud fantasy running backs like Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson and now LeSean McCoy, but it's hard not to like his consistency.
AP listed as probable this week-- Fri Dec 16 5:15 pm -- RB ready to make return from ankle injury
The Minnesota Vikings are set for Adrian Peterson's return, as the Pro Bowl running back is officially listed as probable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. Peterson was a full participant in Friday's practice after being limited the previous two days. He has missed the last three games since suffering a high ankle sprain Nov. 20 against the Oakland Raiders.(NFL.com)
FF Today's Take:Peterson is virtually a must-start any time he's in the Vikings lineup, but he has a few things going against him this week: The stud running back is returning from an injury that's easy to re-aggravate, the 2-11 Vikings aren't playing for anything more than pride and second-year back Toby Gerhart has played adequately during Peterson's absence.
Adrian Peterson limited in practice-- Thu Dec 15 7:35 pm -- Viking RB still looks like a go for Sunday
FF Today's Take:Conventional wisdom is that the Vikings were just being careful with Peterson ahead of Sunday. He will likely start on Sunday and is automatically a Top 5 RB option if he does play against New Orleans. Check the Friday practice report but expect Peterson to finally suit up this week.
AP, Ponder practice for Vikes-- Wed Dec 14 9:45 am -- Peterson partakes albeit in a limited role
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Christian Ponder practiced Wednesday, a positive indication that both are in line to start Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
"Everyone practiced pretty good today," Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. "Adrian (Peterson) was out there. Christian (Ponder) practiced well. Both of those guys moved through full practice without any inhibition so everything was good with both of those guys." Peterson was listed as taking part in a limited portion of practice, and Ponder took part in the full session.(NFL.com)
FF Today's Take:Peterson owners are dying to re-insert the star rusher into their lineups now that they need him most. Keep an eye his status as the weekend approaches. The Vikings aren't playing for a playoff spot and may choose to err on the side of caution with their franchise running back's health.
Adrian Peterson out, Gerhart to start-- Sun Dec 11 11:40 am -- Another week off for AP
The Minnesota Vikings have de-actived running back Adrian Peterson for their game against the Lions. Toby Gerhart is expected to start.(ESPN)
FF Today's Take:Fantasy owners can expect Peterson to return in Week 15.
Peterson, Ponder Questionable-- Fri Dec 9 1:30 pm -- Peterson says ankle is 80% healthy
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Christian Ponder are listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Detroit.
Peterson returned to practice in a limited role this week for the first time since sustaining a high ankle sprain in Week 11 against Oakland.(Minneapolis Star Tribune)
FF Today's Take:Peterson was limited in Friday's practice as was Ponder. Peterson claims to be 80% healthy but he will be a gametime decision. The Vikings play the Lions at 1:00 PM Eastern on Sunday.
Adrian Peterson limited in practice-- Thu Dec 8 8:25 pm -- Peterson looking better in practice
Leslie Frazier said Adrian Peterson was limited today in practice but that what Peterson was able to do was "encouraging." No decision yet on Sunday.(Judd Zulgad on Twitter)
FF Today's Take:Friday`s practice will be the determining factor of whether or not Peterson plays this week. He appears to be doing all the right things ahead of Week 14 but he still has some work to do. Check Friday`s practice report but be prepared to have Peterson back in the Fantasy fold this week!
Adrian Peterson limited Thursday-- Thu Dec 8 1:50 pm -- Vikings RB does individual drills
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has returned to practice.
Peterson took part in individual drills Thursday. He has missed the last two games because of a sprained left ankle, but coach Leslie Frazier said this week that Peterson was getting "very close" to coming back.(Star Tribune)
FF Today's Take:Expect Peterson to be listed as Questionable on the injury report and monitor his practice time in Friday's session. Peterson's progress is moving in the right direction.
Peterson says he is at 70 percent-- Tue Dec 6 9:00 pm -- Wants to play
Asked if he would play Sunday, Peterson acknowledged his eagerness to get back into action as soon as possible even with the high ankle sprain he suffered Nov. 20 against the Raiders.
"God willing I’ll be out there [Sunday]," he said. "I’m like 70 percent."(Star Tribune)
FF Today's Take:It doesn't make much sense for the Vikings to rush their franchise player back too soon but if Adrian Peterson has his way, then he could wind up being a game-time decision (1:00 PM ET kickoff) this week against the Lions.
Adrian Peterson out Week 13-- Fri Dec 2 1:45 pm -- Receiver Harvin misses practice but expected to play
As expected, running back Adrian Peterson (high ankle sprain) wasn't able to do much in practice and was listed as "out" by coach Leslie Frazier for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Not expected was the absence of receiver Percy Harvin.
"Percy wasn't able to practice today because of illness," Frazier said. "[Head athletic trainer Eric] Sugarman and his staff will give me an update when we get back in. But [Harvin] should be fine for Sunday."(Star Tribune)
FF Today's Take:Toby Gerhart will get the start this week. The Vikings are targeting Week 14 for Peterson's return.
Adrian Peterson misses practice Thursday-- Thu Dec 1 6:20 pm -- Ankle injury likely to keep Viking RB out again this week
FF Today's Take:Peterson said that he is improving but is far from 100% right now. A decision on his availabilty isn't expected until Saturday but all signs point to him sitting again this week. Owners appear as though they need to make alternate plans for Week 13.
AP listed as doubtful this weekend-- Fri Nov 25 5:45 pm -- Vikings RB did not practice this week
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at Atlanta because of a high ankle sprain.
(SI.)
FF Today's Take:Stash Peterson on your bench and feel free to deploy youngster Toby Gerhart. The 24-year-old will likely make his third career start against the Falcons this weekend, although it should be noted that Atlanta currently has the 2nd-ranked run defense in the NFL.
Adrian Peterson misses practice Thursday-- Thu Nov 24 6:40 pm -- Vikings RB looks like he will miss Week 12
FF Today's Take:It certainly doesn't look good for AP this week. Owners will have to likely make alternate plans for Sunday unless something drastic happens on Friday. Toby Gerhart will almost assuedly start Sunday and is worth some flex consideration for Fantasy purposes.
AP won't play unless he practices-- Wed Nov 23 7:30 pm -- Vikings to keep Peterson out if he can't practice Friday
Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said injured running back Adrian Peterson will not play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons if he cannot practice by Friday. Peterson missed practice on Wednesday and his sprained left ankle remained in a walking boot, which Frazier hoped would be removed Thursday. But if Peterson cannot practice this week, the Vikings will not work him out Sunday morning to try to play against the Falcons.(NFL.com)
FF Today's Take:Second-year running back Toby Gerhart is an ideal fill-in player this week for Peterson owners, and should be be a handcuff regardless of the star rusher's health the rest of the season.
Percy Harvin to see some carries?-- Tue Nov 22 6:25 pm -- Harvin could line up at running back as long as AP sidelined
FF Today's Take:The Vikings had to find a way to get Harvin (their most potent offensive weapon other that Adrian Peterson) more touches and with him lining up in the backfield, they accomplish that goal. Harvin suddenly becomes a good WR2/3 based on the number of touches he should receive in the next couple of weeks.
AP rolls ankle in Week 11-- Sun Nov 20 7:05 pm -- Did not return to game
Adrian Peterson was helped off the field after suffering a left ankle injury in the Vikings' 27-21 loss to the Raiders.
Peterson, who had six carries for 26 yards, was treated on the sideline and later carted into the locker room.
(Fox Sports)
FF Today's Take:Peterson returned to the field in street clothes in the second half, so his availability for Week 12 will be in question, although the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported late Sunday that AP is not expected to miss a game. Toby Gerhart was ineffective in his stead, but will be asked to carry the ball at least 15 times if AP is forced to miss games. Percy Harvin, who also sees a few carries each week, would also be counted on to help out the running game.
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