The story never seems to change for poor Adrian Peterson.
Following the horrific knee injury of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Peterson is once again stuck playing in an offense that may struggle to move the ball in the passing game. He totaled just 31 rushing yards on 19 carries (1.6 yards per carry), and looked lost in the passing game on his two targets (one drop). His Rushing NEP per rush of -0.30 was 31st (out of 33) in the NFL for backs with more than 9 carries.
Unlike Gurley, however, Peterson wasn't supported by an inept passing game, with backup Shaun Hill actually ranking 10th in the league in Passing NEP per pass (0.29) this week. While the Vikings were not explosive through the air, they were more than functional, yet Peterson could find no room to run. Was it a sign that the 31-year-old back is finally starting to decline? Or was this just one of those days?
It's worth noting that Peterson has games like this, with perhaps a touchdown being the only saving grace from a statistical standpoint. In 2015, he finished below 3.6 yards per carry seven times (scoring in three) -- including Week 1 -- yet still finished as the second-best fantasy running back, regardless of format.
It's also worth noting that Teddy Bridgewater wasn't all that great last year, and his 0.04 Passing NEP per pass was 28th in the NFL out of the 31 passers with more than 300 drop backs. Only Peyton Manning, Blaine Gabbert and Nick Foles were worse. And you know who was markedly better? Sam Bradford (0.08), who may get his first start for the Vikings this coming Sunday.
Based on watching the game, Peterson didn't appear sluggish or as if he had lost a step. He simply tried to create big plays at times when nothing was there, getting hit for a loss often which dragged down his yards per attempt.
Like Gurley, Peterson is one of the most talented backs in the league and will be fed the ball, regardless of who is under center. Volume alone should still allow him to be a top-12 running back this season. There will be weeks where it won't look pretty, but this is what you sign up for when you draft a stud back stuck in a mediocre offense.
Fantasy owners should hold tight. Better days are ahead.