Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings' Updated Fantasy Outlook for Week 5

Fantasy owners of Minnesota Vikings wide receivers Cordarrelle Patterson and Greg Jennings were excited by the improved play of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in Week 4. Unfortunately, the rookie QB went down with an ankle injury and was carted off the field.

According to Adam Schefter (via Ben Goessling of ESPN.com), Bridgewater likely won’t play in Minnesota’s Week 5 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football:

With Matt Cassel on injured reserve, the quarterback throwing the ball to Patterson and Jennings now will likely be Christian Ponder. If you were hoping to start either Patterson or Jennings in your fantasy league, turn back now and avoid this game at all costs.

Ponder told Larry Hartstein of CBSSports.com about possibly starting, saying, “I'm preparing to play, but we're hoping the best for Teddy. I've talked to Teddy. He's doing everything he can to prepare and be ready to play.”

In nine games last season, Ponder threw for just 1,648 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Add in the fact that Jennings and Patterson have been struggling this season, and it is time to sit both on your bench.

Patterson is the tougher player to sit. He has the speed and elusiveness to break a huge play and take it to the house for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the wide receiver has only been targeted 21 times through four weeks and has only caught 13 passes. While he has scored a touchdown running the ball and is the kickoff returner, he has yet to find the end zone as a receiver.

As long as Ponder is under center, Patterson’s touchdown drought will continue.

On the other hand, Jennings was finding a genuine rapport with Bridgewater and will be left out in the cold by Ponder. During the parts of nine games Ponder played in 2013, Jennings caught just 23 passes and zero touchdowns. With other QBs throwing him the ball last year, Jennings racked up 45 catches and four touchdowns.

For fantasy owners, stay far away from the Vikings wide receivers until Teddy Bridgewater is healthy enough to start again. At most, Patterson and Jennings should expect three receptions for 30 yards and no touchdowns.

*Stats via NFL.com.

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