Zimmer: Latavius Murray may not be every down back

Vikings HC Mike Zimmer said that RB Latavius Murray’s signing doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be an every-down back, but he’s confident that Murray will help improve a run game that struggled in 2016.

According to the head coach, Minnesota’s rushing performance last season caused its offense to be one-dimensional. The Vikings were forced to continually pass because of an inability to gain any momentum on the ground.

“It allowed opposing defenses to lay their ears back, play a lot of coverage,” Zimmer said. “So in a perfect world, I want to be able to run the football, [use] play action and still be able to throw like we were able to throw it.”

Related players: Jerick McKinnon

Fantasy Impact: 

Jerick McKinnon will likely continue to get work, but the good news is Zimmer did compliment Murray on his pass protection and pass catching, so it seems like he could be on the field in any situation. Murray should continue to get chances at in-close touchdowns, too. Right now we have Murray ranked 22nd on our RB list.

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