With McKinnon to IR, Vikings Backfield Not Worth a Fantasy Look in Week 14

The Minnesota Vikings rushing attack took a hit on Saturday, when the team announced that rookie running back Jerick McKinnon would be placed on injured reserve with a lower back injury.

In 11 games (six starts), McKinnon rushed for 538 yards and a solid 4.8 yards-per-carry average.

For the Vikings, this means that the team will be forced to lean on a committee of Matt Asiata, Joe Banyard and recently acquired Ben Tate.

For fantasy football enthusiasts, the move means that the Minnesota backfield is probably something to avoid, at least for the coming week.

Though Banyard does have a 4.9 yards-per-carry average on the season, he has only carried the ball seven times in 11 appearances. Tate logged just five carries against the Carolina Panthers a week ago and had been wildly inconsistent during his time with the Cleveland Browns before joining the Vikings.

Asiata is really the only Minnesota running back worth owning at this point. Though he has just 331 yards for the year, he has managed to find the end zone six times and has spent the most time with the organization. He is likely to get most of the goal-line work when Minnesota reaches scoring position.

However, this is simply not a good week to start Asiata or any other Vikings running back, unless you are in a very, very deep league (or are just incredibly desperate).

Week 14 comes with a very unfavorable matchup in the New York Jets. New York is surrendering a meager average of just 85.2 yards per contest this season. The smart move for Minnesota would be to allow rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to attack through the air.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the Jets field the top overall run defense in the entire league. They rank just 19th in pass coverage.

It is unlikely that any Vikings running back is going to put up big numbers on the ground this week, and a committee approach will only dilute individual statistics.

Even in points-per-reception leagues, this is a good week to ignore the Minnesota backfield. Asiata is the only back with more than 10 catches on the season, and he averages fewer than three per game.

In fact, it would be best to avoid Minnesota backs next week as well. After New York, the Vikings face the Detroit Lions (first in the NFL, allowing 65.9 rushing yards per game).

Week 14	vs Jets
Week 15	@ Lions
Week 16	@ Dolphins
Week 17	vs Bears

If your league is still playing in Week 16, however, the Miami Dolphins (ranked 22nd, allowing 118.6 yards per game on the ground) do present a move promising scenario. 

That matchup is a couple of weeks away, however. If you're worried about your fantasy lineup at this point, you're probably in the elimination stage.

Getting that next playoff win is the only real goal at this time of the year, and it is hard to imagine that a Vikings running back is going to lead you to victory in Week 14.