Vikes RB Jerick McKinnon not guaranteed to start Week 7

Oct 13, 2014

Viking rookie running back Jerick McKinnon found out last week he would be making his first career NFL start on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, and the Georgia Southern product proved to be the Minnesota Vikings' most effective weapon on Sunday, in a game where the team had few of them.

McKinnon carried 11 times for 40 yards, catching another six passes for 42 yards and becoming the first Vikings rookie running back to lead the team in receptions since Mewelde Moore on Oct. 17, 2004.

"Whether I start or don’t start I always prepare myself to be ready, as if I was a starter," McKinnon said. "I found out earlier in the week. So I was just trying to be on top of my P’s and Q’s and really dial in this week during practice even more. Make sure I am prepared, and I think that I was really prepared coming into the game."

Fantasy Impact:

Coach Mike Zimmer said McKinnon wasn't necessarily guaranteed to start next Sunday against Buffalo, adding the Vikings would evaluate the position this week and saying they "didn't run the ball effectively" on Sunday, the story added. The piece went on to say that of the running backs on the Vikings' current roster, McKinnon's speed and elusiveness make him more likely than Matt Asiata to eventually take over for Adrian Peterson as the featured back (though it seems possible the Vikings will keep using the two in tandem for now). The team just recently said that McKinnon isn't ready to carry the load, but he's definitely trending in the right direction while Asiata looks to be heading the other way. McKinnon now looks to be worth grabbing if he's on your wire.

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Bears RB D'Andre Swift, WR Keenan Allen both Questionable for Week 12

Scott Bair

33 minutes ago

D'Andre Swift is questionable to play Vikings with a groin injury, though he was limited Thursday and a full participant on Friday.

Keenan Allen is questionable with an ankle injury. He was limited on Friday, his first day on the participation report.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze

Fantasy Impact:

Separate reports called Swift "very likely" to play, but this is seemingly a new issue for Allen.

If Keenan were to miss Week 12, it would boost the floor of all pass-catchers, namely Moore, Oduzne, and Cole Kmet. Moore + Odunze would sneak closer to WR2 territory than their low-end WR3 designations they have with a healthy Allen.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco officially Out for Week 12

Matt McMullen

42 minutes ago

Charles Omenihu (knee) and Isiah Pacheco (ankle) won’t play on Sunday, per Coach Reid.

“Just taking it day-by-day,” Reid added.

Related Players: Samaje Perine

Fantasy Impact:

It was later reported that Pacheco was "healthy enough" but they're hoping to hold him back one more game with a short week coming up. This makes Hunt a volume-based RB2 in Week 12.

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb returns to Friday practice

Joseph Hoyt

1 hour ago

CeeDee Lamb practiced today, per Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. That’s a good sign.

Lamb (back/foot) was limited in a walkthrough on Wednesday and missed practice on Thursday.

Related Players: Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy

Fantasy Impact:

Obviously good news for the Cowboys' potential in rolling out an NFL offense in Week 12. The floor is capped for Lamb but we should expect a ton of action funneling his way against the Commanders, which puts him on the WR1/2 fringe.