Rookie running back Jerick McKinnon started his first career game Sunday against the Detroit Lions. The third round pick from Georgia Southern led the Vikings in rushing yards with 40 on 11 carries and had a career high six receptions for a team best 42 yards.
View images from the week six matchup at TCF Bank Stadium between the Vikings and Lions.
Chris Tomasson from the Pioneer Press spoke McKinnon after the game about receiving the starting nod:
*Jerick McKinnon got the call in Sunday's 17-3 loss to Detroit. That gave Minnesota a backfield featuring a pair of rookies in McKinnon and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. *
*"I found out early (last) week,'' McKinnon said of getting his first career start. *
*At quarterback, the Vikings have used Bridgewater, Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder. At running back, McKinnon has followed Adrian Peterson and Matt Asiata. *
Peterson missed his fifth straight game Sunday after an indictment last month on a felony charge of child abuse. Replacing him for the first four was Asiata, who obviously didn't do as well as Minnesota coaches would have liked.
*McKinnon carried the ball 11 times for 40 yards and caught six passes for 42 yards in his debut. Zimmer wouldn't say who will start next Sunday at Buffalo, but it would seem odd if Asiata is back in the lineup after carrying two times for minus-5 yards against the Lions. *
"Nothing different. Stayed the same,'' McKinnon said of how he approached his new role. "When I wasn't a starter, I always (prepared) myself as if I was a starter. Whether it's me or Matt, it doesn't matter. I'm still going to do what I do leading up to the game as far as preparation.'' McKinnon showed his usual wiggle a few times against the Lions top ranked defense making a few plays out of nothing. McKinnon provided a little bit of a bright spot during an otherwise disappointing Sunday.
Quick Hitters
- From Derek Wetmore of 1500 ESPN – Tom Johnson, pass rush irritate Stafford and limit Lions offense.
- Wobby's five takeaways from Sunday's game.
- Via Star Tribune's Sid Hartman: Bridgewater needs more help to get Vikings offense going.
- From Craig Peters of vikings.com: Moms of Rookies Encourage Breast Cancer Patients
