Week 14 vs Texans
Adrian Peterson scored a touchdown in his Seahawks' debut, because of course. He's Adrian Peterson. Of course, he also only had 16 yards on 11 carries and played just 18 snaps. He'll be mixed in, but there's no more rushing out to start AP anymore. Those days are over. Let's just enjoy it while we can.
Week 11 vs. Houston Texans
Adrian Peterson lost work to D'Onta Foreman in Week 10 and looks like he's locked into a role that will be heavily touchdown-dependent. The Titans look like they will split the backfield work fairly evenly, therefore Peterson will need to find paydirt to be a usable fantasy starter. Peterson will have a great opportunity to do so this week against the Texans and their weak defense. Jeremy McNichols is looking questionable as he works through concussion protocol, and his absence would likely give Peterson a small boost in fantasy appeal this week. Keep an eye on Tennessee's injury reports, but consider Peterson if you have a flex spot to fill, especially if McNichols is inactive.
Week 10 vs. New Orleans Saints
Adrian Peterson saw 10 carries and had one reception in his debut with the Titans. He was inefficient with the carries (2.1 YPC), but one of them did result in a short touchdown plunge to salvage his day. Peterson instantly slotted in as the lead back on early downs and looks set to dominate goal-line work while Derrick Henry is out. However, he is clearly splitting work with Jeremy McNichols, who dominated passing down usage. Peterson's role has him set up as a touchdown-dependent flex option moving forward, but he gets a tough matchup against a stout Saints defense this week. Incredibly, it looks like Peterson will have fantasy relevance yet again this season, but this week's matchup makes him tough to rely on as a starter.
Week 9 at Los Angeles Rams
What year is it? Yes, Adrian Peterson is relevant in fantasy once again as the apparent fill-in for the injured Derrick Henry on early downs in Tennessee. The Titans love to run the ball and Peterson should immediately get an allotment of carries starting in Week 9 against the Rams, but several factors complicate his fantasy outlook. First off, Peterson is now 36 years old, well past the expiration date for most backs in the NFL. Second, he only signed with the team this week and therefore will need time to get up to speed on the scheme and the playbook. Finally, Jeremy McNichols is healthy and will surely occupy a passing-down role if not more following Henry's injury. Peterson should see some touches this week, but a tough matchup and uncertain role make him an extremely risky flex play in fantasy.
Week 17 vs. Minnesota Vikings
With D’Andre Swift again receiving the bulk of the playing time for Detroit last week versus the Bucs, Adrian Peterson saw four attempts for 10 yards. He rushed for 29 yards on eight carries in the loss to the Vikings in November and should not be included in your starting lineup.
Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Adrian Peterson received a couple of goal-line carries last week at Tennessee but couldn’t punch it in. In the loss, he rushed six times for 23 yards, as D’Andre Swift accounting for the team’s two scores on the ground. With only two games remaining the rookie should continue to see the bulk of the action so don’t bother starting Peterson.
Week 15 at Tennessee Titans
With D’Andre Swift returning last week for the Lions, Adrian Peterson received only four carries for seven yards and caught a 23-yard pass. Swift and Kerryon Johnson scored Detroit’s two rushing TDs as well. The rookie will likely continue to see the bulk of the touches for the final three games, making Peterson just a handcuff roster spot.
Week 14 vs. Green Bay Packers
Starting in place of the rookie D’Andre Swift, Adrian Peterson has posted back-to-back solid outings. In the win over the Bears last week he rushed for 57 yards and two scores, bringing his total to four over the past two contests. Peterson ran for 41 yards in the loss to the Packers earlier this year, but Swift likely will return on Sunday, which would cut into his carries. The veteran is a risky fantasy option this week.
Week 13 at Chicago Bears
With D’Andre Swift out due to a concussion on Thanksgiving Day, Adrian Peterson plowed for two short touchdowns. In the defeat he posted his best stats in two months, carrying 15 times for 55 yards and doubling his TD total for the season. Peterson rushed for 93 yards in the opening week loss to Chicago and will likely be the Lions leading ball carrier on Sunday even if Swift returns, as interim head coach Darrell Bevell said it'll be in a limited capacity.
Week 12 vs. Houston Texans
Even without D’Andre Swift to garner carries at Carolina last week, Adrian Peterson was held to seven rushes for 18 yards, sharing the backfield with Kerryon Johnson. In the shutout loss, the entire Detroit offense couldn’t get things going all day, totaling less than 200 yards. Swift should return from the concussion protocol on Thursday, which relegates Peterson to second string. Be sure to monitor the injury report though, as the veteran could make for a sneaky start against Houston’s terrible run defense.
