Dose: Vikings Ban Peterson
In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, the Vikings placed Adrian Peterson on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list until his child-abuse case is resolved. It was a dramatic turn for an organization that reinstated Peterson just two days before, but one that was necessary after the mountain of outrage that followed Peterson’s reinstatement. Peterson will now focus on getting his legal affairs in order, and will likely return to the team once his case is resolved.
In the meantime, the Vikings will turn to the plodding Matt Asiata as their primary running back. Asiata rushed for 36 yards on 13 carries (2.8 YPC) against New England last week, and will likely find similar success this week against New Orleans. The workload and chance at garbage-time check downs make Asiata a reasonable RB3, but it will not be pretty. Jerick McKinnon remains an interesting stash in deeper formats.
Editor's Note: Rotoworld's partner FanDuel is hosting a one-week $350,000 Fantasy Football Contest for Week 3's games. It's only $10 to join and first prize is $30,000. Starts Sunday, September 21st at 1pm ET. Here's the link.
In Other News…
Greg Hardy was also added to the exempt/commissioner’s permission list on Wednesday after being deactivated by the Panthers before Week 2. Hardy was convicted of domestic assault in July, but was still allowed to play in Week 1 before public pressure finally forced Carolina’s hand. It is unclear how long Hardy will be away from the team.
Wrapping up the stellar day of NFL news, Jonathan Dwyer was deactivated by the Cardinals after being arrested on charges of domestic violence and aggravated assault stemming from two incidents in July. A minimum-salary player without special talent, there is a decent chance Dwyer has played his last snap in the desert. Stepfan Taylor will take over the No. 2 running back role in Arizona.
There was some “good” news out of the NFL on Wednesday, as the NFL and NFLPA officially agreed on a new drug policy. The agreement brings with it HGH testing, a new appeal process and, most importantly for fantasy players, the immediate reinstatement of Wes Welker, Stedman Bailey and Orlando Scandrick. All three were able to join their teams on Wednesday for practice, and are able to play Week 3.
While Scandrick should help shore up the Dallas defense and Bailey could provide a reliable set of hands to the Rams’ shaky wide receiver corps, the real fantasy story revolves around Welker. Most of the talk this draft season was about how long Welker could stay healthy, especially after he suffered another concussion during the preseason. The real question now, though, is how effective can Welker be even when he is on the field?
Welker was a stud to start the 2013 season, scoring at least one touchdown in each of the first six games, and scoring nine total touchdowns over the first half of the season. He fell off after the Broncos’ bye, though, only scoring once in the final five games he played in the regular season, and only averaging 45 receiving yards a game down the stretch.
With Emmanuel Sanders now in town, it is safe to question how big a role Welker will have in the offense. Of the 62 passes Peyton manning has thrown this season, 49 have targeted Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas or Sanders. Adding in the obligatory running back targets, it is hard to see a big role for Welker without someone else losing looks. With the way all three players are playing now, it is not guaranteed any of them do.
Welker has to be at least a WR3 because he is Wes Welker, but it is hard to push him any higher. If I have even decent options, I am starting them above Welker until the situation becomes clearer.
Don't forget, for everything NFL, check out Rotoworld's Player News, and follow @Rotoworld_FB and @RMSummerlin on Twitter. Also, purchase our info-packed Season Pass here.
News and Notes
There is “no doubt” Roddy White (hamstring, questionable) will play Thursday night against the Bucs. White will be a WR2 against Tampa. … Doug Martin (knee, questionable) is expected to play Thursday night against the Falcons. He may share time with Bobby Rainey, but Martin is still a RB2/3 against Atlanta’s pitiful run defense. … Bengals OC Hue Jackson called Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill a “tandem,” and hinted the duo will continue to share carries the rest of the season. … Lamar Miller is not on the Week 3 injury report. He is an RB2 against the Chiefs. …Mark Ingram underwent successful hand surgery. Coach Sean Payton described the situation as “week to week.” … The Ravens and Vikings have reportedly expressed interest in free agent RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Green-Ellis was mostly ineffective in 2013, but would immediately become fantasy relevant in either the Vikings’ or Ravens’ muddled running back corps. … Austin Davis received the “lion’s share” of the Rams’ first-team reps in practice Wednesday. Shaun Hill (thigh) remains day-to-day. … Vontaze Burfict is back in the league’s concussion protocol after being concussed Week 2. He also suffered a concussion in the Bengals’ opener. … Preston Parker is expected to take over the No. 3 receiver role for the Giants after Jerrell Jernigan was lost for the season with a foot injury. He has little fantasy value except in return-yardage leagues. … Johnathan Cyprien (concussion) has been cleared to play against the Colts. The Jaguars have conceded 75 points in six quarters after losing Cyprien Week 1. … The Jaguars will start sixth-round rookie Luke Bowanko at center against the Colts. The Jags offensive line gave up ten sacks against the Redskins last week.
Injury Quick Slants
Jamaal Charles (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. He is unlikely to play this week. … A.J. Green (toe) did not practice on Wednesday. … Marshawn Lynch (back) did not practice Wednesday after exiting the Seahawks' Week 2 game early. He should be fine for Week 3, but it is something to monitor. … Vernon Davis (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday, and was still using crutches. He is highly questionable for Week 3. … Arian Foster (hamstring) was limited on Wednesday. … Eric Decker (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, but is “on pace” to play Monday night. … Jordan Cameron (shoulder) was limited in practice Wednesday, and “has a good shot at playing” Week 3. … DeSean Jackson (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday, but is expected to play this week. … Jordan Reed (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. … Carson Palmer (shoulder) was limited on Wednesday. His Week 3 status is completely up in the air. … Andre Ellington (foot) did not practice Wednesday, but should play against the 49ers. … DeAngelo Williams (thigh) did not practice Wednesday. … Julian Edelman (back) and Shane Vereen (shoulder) were limited on Wednesday. … Kelvin Benjamin (knee) did not practice Wednesday, though the injury is not believed to be serious. … Cecil Shorts (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday. … Marqise Lee (hamstring) was limited on Wednesday. … Allen Hurns (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. … Rod Streater (hip) and Maurice Jones-Drew (hand) did not practice Wednesday. … Robert Woods (ankle) was limited on Wednesday. … Antonio Gates (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. It was likely just a maintenance day. … Toby Gerhart (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. It was just a rest day. … Austin Seferian-Jenkins (foot) was ruled out for Week 3.
