RADIO
More Momentum For Kyler Murray In Week 7?
For the first time since the opening quarter of the season, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray will have his full complement of pass catchers when the team plays host to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. Receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle), tight end T.J. Hockenson (concussion), and receiver Jordan Addison (hamstring) do not carry injury designations into the game, giving the veteran quarterback a boost after the offense played its best game before a Week 6 bye. Even better for fantasy managers is that Murray deftly used his trademark running ability last time out, extending several plays for first-down throws and scrambling 10 times for 51 yards. The Colts, who rank dead last in pressure percentage and tied for 32nd in turnover rate, present another opportunity for Murray to perform like a QB1 again. He's RotoBaller's No. 13 quarterback this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lineup Potential For Aaron Jones Sr. Despite Likely Decrease In Volume
With Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) questionable but trending toward returning on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, fellow ball-carrier Aaron Jones Sr. is likely to see a reduction in volume from his starring role over the past month. For the Vikings and Jones' longevity, Mason's return is great news. For managers who enjoyed the veteran's stretch of workhorse-like volume, the Vikings' split backfield isn't nearly as appealing. Still, the Colts' defense presents a good enough matchup that the veteran back is in consideration for most formats. The Colts rank 27th against half-PPR running backs, have allowed nearly 5 yards per rush, and surrender points on 47% of opposing teams' drives. While the brief days of Jones earning 20 carries are likely gone, this matchup and his continued value in the passing game give him RB3/Flex value. He's RotoBaller's 25th-ranked running back this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Mason Could Return In Time For Excellent Matchup
For fantasy managers who held onto Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (thumb) through his stint on injured reserve, a possible return against the wayward Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 is exactly the type of matchup that could make their patience worth it. Officially listed as questionable, Mason fully practiced this week and his outlook for Sunday is "positive," according to Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. The Colts, who already fired their general manager and seem inches away from a full-scale rebuild, have especially struggled on defense. Indianapolis is allowing 4.8 yards per rush and 27.3 points per game, both of which rank 27th in the league, while they pressure the quarterback and force turnovers at the lowest rates in the NFL. The former San Francisco 49er will split work with backfield mate Aaron Jones Sr., who is the team's preferred pass catcher among the two, though the setting is still good enough that both can be considered a quality RB3/Flex option. Mason is RotoBaller's No. 26 running back this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Potential For Resurgent Justin Jefferson Against Slumping Colts
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) is once again a no-doubt fantasy starter now that he does not appear on the final injury report ahead of a game against the Indianapolis Colts. To his credit, the superstar was excellent in spite of the injury last time out, making an excellent touchdown catch in the back of the end zone and finishing with six catches for 79 yards against New Orleans. The Colts, on the other hand, dismissed general manager Chris Ballard this week amid the team's struggles, which extend to a defense that has been among the league's worst. Indianapolis pressures the quarterback at the lowest rate in the league, is allowing points nearly half the time the opponent has the ball, and ranks tied for 30th in yards per completion allowed. To be fair, Minnesota's offense has lacked firepower most of the season, though Jefferson and quarterback Kyler Murray have played only one full game together so far. Managers should plan on playing Jefferson, RotoBaller's No. 12 receiver this week, in all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Addison Is High-Risk, High-Reward In Return From Injury
Wide receiver Jordan Addison is a boom-or-bust fantasy option when his Minnesota Vikings take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. The good news is that Addison did not appear on the Vikings' final injury report after missing the team's win in New Orleans with a hamstring ailment, and the speedster will see a favorable matchup against an Indianapolis defense that has struggled in almost every way. The Colts have allowed points at the third-highest rate in the league, forced turnovers at the lowest rate, and pressured the quarterback less often than any other team in the NFL. The bigger issue for managers who roster Addison is that his volume has been difficult to predict, as he, quarterback Kyler Murray, and top receiver Justin Jefferson have been on the field together for less than a full quarter this season. Always a deep threat, but on an offense that has struggled most of the year, Addison is a WR4 candidate reliant upon a few home run swings. He's RotoBaller's No. 40 wide receiver this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Starting Potential For T.J. Hockenson In Week 7
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is a fringe TE1 when the Indianapolis Colts visit U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 7. The former Iowa star looked to be developing a legitimate chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray, who targeted him 13 times in their most recent full game together. Unfortunately for managers who started the tight end in Week 5, a first-quarter concussion stalled the momentum. Now through concussion protocol and off the injury report, Hockenson's volume is something of a mystery because the Vikings' full complement of skill players have played less than a full quarter together so far this season. Receiver Justin Jefferson remains the club's top option every time he plays, though Hockenson appears to already have Murray's trust on key downs and as an underneath option, which warrants fantasy consideration. Hockenson is RotoBaller's No. 13 tight end this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Top Billing For Will Reichard Against Colts
Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard is once again one of the top fantasy options at his position when his team plays host to the struggling Indianapolis Colts. The former Alabama standout has been perfect thus far, making all 15 of his field goal attempts, including all five from beyond 50 yards. In his career, Reichard is 77-for-77 on extra points, and he's currently in the best form of his career. The Colts rank 21st against fantasy kickers and have allowed points on 47% of their opponents' drives this season, the third-worst mark in the league, which should give Reichard opportunities if the Vikings can move the ball. The All-Pro has been dialed in this season, so managers who roster him don't need to overthink the kicker position whatsoever. Reichard is RotoBaller's No. 1 kicker for Week 7.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Prime Matchup For Minnesota Vikings D/ST In Week 7
The Minnesota Vikings' top-ranked defense returns from a week away with a superb matchup in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Thus far, the Vikings have been the top defense in the league across virtually every metric, while the underlying numbers for the Colts have not been pretty. Through six games, Indianapolis is turning over the ball at the fifth-highest rate in the NFL, ranked 30th in adjusted net yards per passing attempt, and coming off an embarrassing loss to Tennessee in which the Titans sacked quarterback Daniel Jones six times. Injuries certainly have been a factor for the Colts, but only the Miami Dolphins have fewer passing touchdowns than Indy's four. For now, managers who roster Minnesota's defense should keep riding the hot streak. The Vikings are RotoBaller's second-ranked defense this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
T.J. Hockenson Clears Concussion Protocol for Week 7
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and carries no injury designation for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Hockenson practiced in full Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday following Minnesota's Week 6 bye. The veteran tight end has caught 23 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown through five games, although his production has varied considerably. He recorded 13 catches for 119 yards against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4 with Justin Jefferson sidelined, then managed just one reception for seven yards when Jefferson returned against the New Orleans Saints. Hockenson remains a borderline TE1 option with Minnesota's primary receivers available.
Source: Alec Lewis
Source: Alec Lewis
Jordan Addison Set to Return Against Colts in Week 7
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (hamstring) has no injury designation for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Addison missed Minnesota's Week 5 victory over New Orleans but practiced in full Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday following the team's bye. He has caught 11 passes for 163 yards and one touchdown through four games, with his best outing coming against Tampa Bay in Week 3 when he recorded five receptions for 90 yards and a score. Addison will return to a receiving group featuring healthy starters Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, making him a WR4 with flex appeal in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: Alec Lewis
Source: Alec Lewis
Justin Jefferson Carries No Injury Designation for Week 7
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) carries no injury designation for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Jefferson was limited Wednesday before practicing in full Thursday and Friday following Minnesota's Week 6 bye. He missed Week 4 with the ankle injury but returned against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, catching six of seven targets for 79 yards and a touchdown. Jefferson has 19 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns in four appearances this season. With Indianapolis ruling out cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf), Jefferson remains a must-start WR1 for fantasy managers.
Source: Alec Lewis
Source: Alec Lewis
Jordan Mason Questionable to Return in Week 7
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that running back Jordan Mason (thumb) is questionable to come off Injured Reserve this weekend to take on the visiting Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 on Sunday, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Mason has not played since the season-opening win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers due to a fractured thumb, but he practiced in full on Thursday and has been trending towards making his return against the Colts. When the 27-year-old does return, he is expected to take over a good chunk of the backfield duties to give overworked veteran Aaron Jones Sr. a breather. If the Vikings hold Mason out for another week, though, Jones will once again be an RB2 play in fantasy against the struggling Colts. Mason had a big role in Week 1 for Minnesota, carrying the ball 15 times for 59 yards and one touchdown, although he was not targeted in the passing game. If Mason is officially activated from IR and is active on Sunday, he should be treated as an RB3/flex option in his first game back.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Aaron Jones Sr. Set to Lose Carries With Teammate Returning
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. has averaged more than 21 carries over his last four games, a workload born out of Jordan Mason's (thumb) absence. Minnesota originally planned to rotate the two, and their Week 1 split reflected that approach: Mason carried 15 times for 59 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, while Jones rushed 12 times for 40 yards and a score. Jones then logged 23, 17, 20, and 25 attempts from Weeks 2-5, closing that stretch with 113 yards and a touchdown at New Orleans. Mason practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Sunday's game against Indianapolis, with his return from injured reserve still awaiting activation. Jones also revealed this week that he has played through a sprained MCL in his left knee since Week 2. He recorded 34 receiving yards in both Weeks 3 and 4, giving him a continuing role in the passing game. A restored rotation would leave Jones closer to flex territory in PPR formats after four games as Minnesota's featured back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Faces a Drastically Lowered Ceiling with Teammate's Return
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. was the fantasy RB12 from Weeks 2-5, but with teammate Jordan Mason (thumb) practicing in full after the team's Week 6 bye and expected to make his return after a four-game stint on Injured Reserve, the 31-year-old veteran is likely to find himself back in a timeshare. In a Week 1 win over the Packers, Mason handled 15 carries to Jones' 12, but his absence has given the former Pro Bowler an almost unheard-of 90.4% running back rush share while still finding involvement in the passing game. While Jones has made the most of his expanded opportunities, Mason's return will almost certainly eat into his week-winning workload, and he has fallen to RotoBaller's RB27 ahead of a Week 7 clash with the Colts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justin Jefferson Still Dealing With Ankle Injury, Limited on Wednesday
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) is on the Week 7 injury report with an ankle injury and was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Jefferson tweaked his ankle in Week 3 in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was held out of the Week 4 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The 27-year-old All-Pro wideout returned for the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints and caught six of seven targets for 79 yards and his third touchdown of the season. Jefferson has not ditched his ankle injury after having a week off during the Week 6 bye, but the fact that he is limited could just mean that the Vikings are giving him a little more rest as the team prepares to play the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday. If Jefferson upgrades to a full practice on Thursday or Friday, he could be removed from the final injury report entirely. The four-time Pro Bowler has 19 catches for 258 yards and three scores through four games this year and should be a must-start in all starting fantasy lineups if he gets the green light to face the Colts.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
