After getting off to a hot start with an impressive 34-6 win over the St. Louis Rams, the Minnesota Vikings approached Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots with a bit of swag. However, that momentum went out the window after Adrian Peterson was charged with beating his young son with a switch.
Peterson was indicted on Friday and flew to Houston on Saturday to turn himself in, according to the Associated Press. He was released and returned to Minnesota, but was deactivated from the team for Sunday’s game.
According to Brian Murphy, of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, stud wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson doesn’t expect Peterson to rejoin the team.
Cordarrelle Patterson: "It’s not missing Adrian. We’ve got to get that mindset that 28 probably ain’t going to be here with us." #Vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphmedia_) September 14, 2014
Patterson has become a focal point of the Vikings offense over the past two games. In the Vikings’ 30-7 loss to the Patriots, Patterson was targeted seven times and wound up with four receptions for a team-high 56 yards. In Week 1, Patterson ran the ball three times for 102 yards and caught three balls for 26 yards.
Going forward, Patterson is the most talented offensive player on a team devoid of Peterson, a former NFL MVP. Regardless of who is playing quarterback for the Vikings–whether it be Matt Cassel or Teddy Bridgewater or Christian Ponder–he will be looking Patterson’s way often.
If Peterson doesn’t return to the team, Patterson could also see even more time lining up as a running back and getting handoffs.