Matt Asiata

The Detroit Lions have signed free agent running back Matt Asiata on Friday.

Fantasy Impact

Asiata, formerly of the Vikings, inked a one-year deal with the NFC North Division rival Lions on Friday. Although the 29-year-old rusher scored 15 touchdowns since 2015, he is not a shoe-in to make Detriot's final roster for the 2017 season.

Matt Asiata managed just 14 yards on eight carries against Chicago Bears and caught 3 of 3 targets for 31 receiving yards.

Fantasy Impact

The biggest highlight of Asiata's the season, despite getting ample opportunities with Adrian Peterson injured, were his six touchdowns, as he managed only 3.3 yards per carry. Asiata provided intermittent fantasy value and figures to do the same in 2017 assuming he remains one of Minnesota's several options at running back

Matt Asiata carried the ball just six times for 34 yards on Saturday and caught 3 of 4 targets for 30 receiving yards.

Fantasy Impact

The Vikings' offense took to the air early during Saturday's game against Green Bay, leaving Asiata on the sideline much of the day as Jerick McKinnon got the majority of touches out of Minnesota's backfield. While Asiata's yardage total was far from embarrassing, he didn't score a touchdown, leaving him with just six standard fantasy points and revealing the downside of relying on a team's short-yardage and goal-line running back. Asiata will hope to find the end zone one last time this season against the Chicago Bears in Week 17.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (illness) "will play" Week 15.

Fantasy Impact

Schefter added that Asiata will work into a "three-back rotation" Sunday against the Colts, indicating that Adrian Peterson will not garner a full workload upon his first game action since Week 2. For Asiata, he is expected to continue his role vulturing touchdowns as the short yardage back, while Peterson and Jerick McKinnon could share touches during the early downs.

Matt Asiata (ankle) is officially questionable to appear in Minnesota's Sunday game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Fantasy Impact

Asiata appeared on the injury report while practicing fully Wednesday and Thursday but, surprisingly, missed practice on Friday, either resting his ankle ahead of Sunday's game or because he aggravated his injury during practice. Owners thinking they may need to rely on Minnesota's goal line back will want to confirm Asiata's availability ahead of kickoff on Sunday morning as his practice availability makes his "questionable" designation more than a mere formality.