Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon (foot) is active for today’s game against the Titans. We’re curious to see exactly how much work he gets behind Adrian Peterson, but McKinnon shouldn’t be in Week 1 fantasy lineups.

Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon (foot) is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Titans. He’s not a fantasy option, but his absence would mean even more work for RB Adrian Peterson.

Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune believes the Vikings will “unleash” RB Jerick McKinnon as a receiver if he excels in pass protection. McKinnon shined in OTAs, but we’ll see how he performs when the pads come on. The 24-year-old might reach low-end PPR flex value even with a healthy Adrian Peterson. But this serves as a reminder that, despite offseason chatter of increased usage, Peterson’s reception upside looks capped. He’s topped 40 grabs just twice for his career.

ESPN's Ben Goessling believes the Vikings will try to get RB Adrian Peterson more involved in the passing game this season.  AP has reportedly been working on his receiving skills this offseason.  Of course, we heard similar overtures last year before Peterson caught just 30 balls for 222 yards.  Those marks ranked 33rd and 38th, respectively, among RBs.  It's also worth noting that Peterson was out-targeted by fellow RB Jerick McKinnon 23-10 over last year's final 6 games (including playoffs).  We'll keep an eye on how pass-catching duties are divvied this summer, but we're not expecting a big leap in Peterson's numbers.

The Vikings have downgraded RB Adrian Peterson to questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions because of an illness. We haven't seen any details on the illness, so we'll wait for his status Sunday morning. If Peterson sits, Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata would likely split the job.

The Vikings and RB Adrian Peterson have agreed to a restructured contract.  It's officially a 3-year, $44 million deal -- $.75 million less than AP was scheduled to make over the next 3 years on his old deal.  But the new contract guarantees Peterson $11 million this season.  There are no guarantees beyond that, though.  AP now has a $5 million roster bonus due next March.  The takeaway: Peterson is getting paid a ton this season and will be a workhorse, but the Vikings aren't committed to him beyond 2015. It's plenty possible that the franchise moves on next offseason and hands the reins to RB Jerick McKinnon.

Vikings insider Master Tesfatsion believes RB Jerick McKinnon's role this season will be as an "occasional 3rd-down back."  Doesn't sound like he'll be seeing a whole lot of action.  Vensel confirms that RB Adrian Peterson is set to receive the "majority" of the carries.  McKinnon will need an AP injury to be a reliable fantasy play in 2015.  The freak athlete is still worth stashing in all keeper and dynasty leagues.

The Vikings still believe RB Jerick McKinnon has "3-down potential," according to insider Andrew Krammer.  "Jerick is working on those things. Trying to be three phases: a runner, protecter and pass catcher and he knows it's a process," RBs coach Kirby Wilson said. "Something you have to put in the time and work ethic to get there and to his credit, he's doing that and I'm looking forward to training camp to see where he'll be when we make it real."  McKinnon flashed exciting ability as a rookie last year, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.  He'll be in a change-of-pace role behind Adrian Peterson this season, but AP turned 30 in March.  McKinnon has a good shot to be Minnesota's RB of the future and has loads of long-term upside.  He's a nice "buy low" in keeper and dynasty leagues right now.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson released a statement to ESPN on his situation Wednesday, and he's apparently not trying to move out of Minnesota: "The reason I’m not attending OTAs has nothing to do with wanting to be traded. It’s about securing my future with the Vikings. It’s business, not personal and I understand that firsthand. Go Vikings.” OK. Perhaps it's finally time to move on from the trade speculation. Of course, we'll see what happens if the 2 sides can't agree on the money to "secure" his future. In the meantime, go on treating Peterson as a Viking and Jerick McKinnon as a handcuff in early drafting.

Yahoo!'s Charles Robinson reports that Vikings RB Adrian Peterson still wants to leave Minnesota this offseason and plans to skip all team activities this spring. According to Pro Football Talk, that would keep Peterson from collecting a $250,000 workout bonus. The team's mandatory minicamp is set for June 16-18. We'll see if Peterson is willing to sit that out and incur fines. We'll also see if this is a ploy to get more of his Vikings contract guaranteed beyond this season. Fantasy football owners would just like to see the situation resolve as soon as possible so that we can comfortably draft Peterson this summer and know what Jerick McKinnon's chances are of being fantasy relevant. Peterson will likely settle in as a late 1st-round pick no matter where he winds up for 2015.

With the 1st round of the 2015 NFL Draft in the books and Adrian Peterson still on the Vikings roster, it appears the RB might be coming to terms with the fact that he's stuck in Minnesota for 2015.  Or at least his agent made it sound that way.  "One of the things that I appreciate with the Vikings is their resolve to say 'we're not trading him,'" Ben Dogra said. "That tells me they value him not only as a football player, but what he's done for the organization.  I actually, as an agent, not only appreciate it — I accept it. But actions speak louder than words. If that's going to happen, and you want to keep him, then show him a commitment to make him retire as a Viking. And I haven't had that solution."  Peterson doesn't have much leverage here, and Minnesota seemed hell-bent on trading him only if it brought back a 2015 first rounder.  It's looking more and more like AP will be back in purple this season.  Tough days for the Jerick McKinnon fan club.

Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon has had no setback in his recovery from December back surgery and is on track to be a full participant in the team's offseason program.  “It’s been a long process, but that’s just the way it goes after surgery. I’ve been [at the Vikings facility] all offseason working really hard,” McKinnon said. “I’ve just been in the training room with [assistant athletic trainer] Tom Hunkele pushing myself to the limit and just trying to get back ready. It’s been a long grind but it’s definitely working.”  Considered extremely raw coming out of Georgia Southern, McKinnon turned in an impressive rookie season.  He averaged 4.8 yards per carry and posted a pair of 100-yard games.  His 2015 fantasy football value completely hinges on what Minnesota decides to do with Adrian Peterson.  If AP returns, McKinnon will be only a change-of-pace back.  But if the Vikings let Peterson go, McKinnon becomes the favorite for the lead role.  That gig would give him gobs of fantasy upside.

Vikings HC Mike Zimmer announced Monday that RB Jerick McKinnon will be sidelined 2 months after undergoing a back procedure.  The rookie had already been placed on the IR.  The 2-month timetable will have McKinnon back in time for the start of OTAs.  Assuming no setbacks, the back shouldn't be a factor in 2015.  McKinnon remains the odds-on favorite to open next season as Minnesota's starting RB.

The Vikings have placed RB Jerick McKinnon (back) on IR.  We don't know much about his back injury, but we haven't heard anything to suggest that it'll be a factor in 2015.  A raw 3rd-round rookie, McKinnon turned in an encouraging debut season.  He averaged 4.8 yards per carry and improved in the passing game throughout the year.  With Adrian Peterson's Vikings career on the ropes, McKinnon has a good shot to enter 2015 as the team's starting RB.  He's a nice "buy low" in dynasty leagues.

Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon (back) didn’t practice all week and is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Jets. HC Mike Zimmer confirmed on Friday that Matt Asiata, Joe Banyard and Ben Tate will all play this weekend. Avoid the situation against the league’s #9 RB defense.

Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon (back) remained sidelined on Thursday.  He's now missed 5 straight practices dating back to last week.  Fantasy owners shouldn't be expecting him to play against the Jets on Sunday.  That'd mean another start for RB Matt Asiata, who'd be an uninspiring fantasy play in a tough matchup.

Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon (back) remained sidelined on Wednesday.  He wasn't able to practice at all last week and missed the game against the Panthers.  His status for this weekend's game against the Jets is uncertain.  Check back tomorrow for another update.

Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon (back) is out for Sunday’s game against the Panthers. He’s been dealing with back trouble for a couple weeks now and was unable to practice at all this week. That leaves Minnesota with some combination of Matt Asiata, Ben Tate and Joe Banyard. Avoid the situation against a much-improved Carolina run defense.

Vikings OC Norv Turner confirmed that Jerick McKinnon remains the team's lead back, despite the arrival of Ben Tate.  “We’re excited about Jerick and what he’s done and I see him as our running back," Turner said.  Tate is more likely to step into Matt Asiata's short-yardage role than eat into McKinnon's workload.  McKinnon remains a viable RB2.  Tate is only worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Vikings RB Adrian Peterson has been suspended by the NFL without pay for the remainder of the 2014 season.  Peterson is planning to appeal the suspension right away, Schefter adds.  He'll be kept on the Commission's Exempt list during the appeal, though, and won't be allowed to play.  His chances of suiting up again this season now appear slim.  We'd wait until the appeal plays out before dropping him, but owners certainly shouldn't be counting on getting anything from Peterson down the stretch.  Jerick McKinnon will remain locked in as Minnesota's lead back.