Vikings tap Latavius Murray as Adrian Peterson’s replacement

The Vikings have not closed the door on re-signing Peterson, but reaching a deal with Murray would end his tenure with them.

Meanwhile, the report notes that the Raiders have not made retaining Murray a priority.

Latavius Murray, who led Oakland in rushing this past season while scoring 12 touchdowns – and had a 1,000-yard season in 2015 – signed a free-agent deal with Minnesota Wednesday night. The Vikings ran for just 1,205 total yards and 3.2 yards per carry as a team after Peterson suffered a torn meniscus that kept him out for all but three games. To this point his only known visit has been to the Seahawks, who have since signed Eddie Lacy instead.

Including fullback Jamize Olawale, their running back corps previous year included a fifth- and sixth-round pick and two undrafted free agents.

Last month, the Vikings decided not exercise the $18 million option on Peterson’s contract, making him a free agent for the first time in 10 ten years.

Now that Murray is definitely gone, the Raiders have a vacancy at running back.

The Green Bay Packers could also be added to Peterson’s list of suitors, but there has been no known interest on their end.

Murray was a sixth-round draft pick of the Raiders out of Central Florida in 2013.

The Vikings now have a fairly dynamic backfield with Murray and Jerick McKinnon. Murray was one piece of the Oakland Raiders potent, spread-the-ball-around offense the last three seasons. That is a large reason why he chose to join the Vikings for the 2017 season and beyond.

Sure, 5-foot-8 Mighty Mites Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington are exciting, but they are change-of-pace backs, not every-down runners.