Each week, we identify six players to target on waiver wires, plus a lightly owned D/ST. These fantasy assets are all available in a majority of Yahoo leagues. Add as needed.

Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon, RBs, Minnesota Vikings, 1% and 23% owned

If you’d asked a Minnesota fan to write the script for the regular season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium, they would have authored something close to what actually went down on Sunday night, when the team edged division rival Green Bay — except of course for the part where Adrian Peterson was in terrible pain, unable to put weight on his right leg. Peterson’s injury was a frightening lowlight for the Vikings during an otherwise impressive win. The early reports on AP’s right knee are far from worst-case, but a torn meniscus could certainly be a multi-week issue. Fantasy owners need to develop a short-term replacement plan, however.

We’ve had a few Minnesota backfield fire-drills over the years, so everyone should already know how to proceed. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata remain the backups to Peterson, and the pair will likely split touches as they have in prior seasons. McKinnon will do much of his work between the 10s, with Asiata claiming a greater share of the carries near the goal line. Back in 2014, when Peterson appeared in only one game, Asiata had the fifth-most carries in the league inside the 10-yard line (23). While Asiata is certainly not an efficient runner (3.5 YPC), his carries are generally more profitable than McKinnon’s for fantasy purposes. Both backs will clearly have value for however long Peterson is sidelined. McKinnon will generate the occasional highlight; Asiata should get the 1-yard touchdown plunges. The Vikings’ upcoming schedule isn’t particularly friendly — at Car, vs. NYG, vs. Hou — so don’t expect immediate fantasy dominance from either back.

FAAB bid: $18 and $15

View photos Matt Asiata, master of the 3-yard gain (Getty Images) More

Fozzy Whittaker, RB, Carolina Panthers, 3%

Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart was among the first victims of the plague of leg injuries that struck the NFL in Week 2, and head coach Ron Rivera acknowledged in post-game comments that he’s “a little bit” concerned about his team’s primary early-down runner. With J-Stew unavailable against the Niners, third-down back Fozzy Whittaker had an impressive day, carry 16 times for an even 100 yards and adding three catches for 31. Mike Tolbert had a rotational role for the Panters (9-25-0), while Cameron Artis-Payne was again inactive. Assuming Stewart misses time with his medley of injuries (hamstring, ankle), Whittaker and Artis-Payne figure to handle most of the backfield touches for this team. Cam Newton’s dominance at the goal-line limits the fantasy ceilings for each player, but both will likely rank as viable flexes, despite the tricky matchup on deck (vs. Min).

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