When this season began, the Tracker was emphatic about avoiding Adrian Peterson, because the superstar Vikings running back was coming off a devastating knee injury late in the season.
So why would I now recommend picking up Rashard Mendenhall — the Steelers back who also is coming off a late-season knee injury?
The answer is easy: I got Mendenhall off waivers as recently as this week in several leagues. In fact, he still is available in 25 percent of ESPN leagues. Peterson required a draft pick in the first three rounds.
Plus, Mendenhall got an extra four weeks of recovery time, having yet to play this season, which should make him more durable upon return. While on the flip side, we still worry about the health of Peterson, especially considering the amount of work the Vikings are giving his reconstructed knee.
Nevertheless, you should be playing Peterson every week barring injury. Mendenhall, in his first week back, needs to remain on your bench. In the coming weeks, however, he can be a solid bye-week fill-in. And after a run in Weeks 6-8 in which he faces the Titans, Bengals and Redskins, he may have earned a permanent spot in your lineup.
If you did not snag Mendenhall in time, be patient. After a tough matchup this week vs. the Eagles, his owners may be willing to deal. Or, perhaps even better, he may be dropped. If so, he is not likely to be in high demand — with just one game played, with paltry results. So you could snag him without having to give up a key players.
In essence, you can get a back with the potential to be an every week starter. Now that’s a Steel.
BIG WEEKS
Christian Ponder, QB, Vikings, vs. Titans
Not on the Ponder Bandwagon yet, but he’s playing at home against a team that can’t stop anyone and has given up 10 passing TDs to just one INT.
Jackie Battle, RB, Chargers, at Saints
Saints allowed an average of 168.3 yards rushing and five TDs on the ground in the first three weeks. Ryan Mathews may rack up the yards, but Battle should be in line for the goal-line carries — like an old Jerome Bettis day: 5 yards on three carries with three scores.
Domenik Hixon, WR, Giants, vs. Browns
With Hakeem Nicks (foot/knee) and Ramses Barden (concussion) ruled out, Hixon should see plenty of work as second WR option for Eli Manning against a generous Browns defense.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings, vs. Titans
If Ponder has a big day, he’s got to be throwing to someone. And after Percy Harvin, Rudolph has been his favorite target — and his primary option in the red zone.
SMALL WEAKS
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers, vs, Eagles
Not buying an extra week off will help a great deal. The Eagles have picked six passes to just five passing TDs allowed, and they’ve done this despite just seven sacks. Big Ben not as dangerous in the pocket as he is out of it.
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars, vs. Bears
The Bears yield just 67.3 rushing yards a game, and have given up just one rushing TD. With shaky QB in Blaine Gabbert and lackluster WRs (Laurent Robinson and Justin Blackmon), Jaguars don’t give Bears much else to defend.
Brian Hartline, WR, Dolphins, at Bengals
Hartline had big Week 2 and monster Week 4, but just four catches combined in Weeks 1 and 3. Cincinnati’s 16 sacks were tied for league lead after first four weeks.
Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers, vs. Bills
Buffalo ranks just outside the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. Plus, why throw too often to the TE when everyone else is wide open, too.
The Decision
Drew Loftis and Anthony Sulla-Heffinger tell you who you should start:
JEREMY KERLEY vs. DONNIE AVERY
Drew: Kerley — Santonio Holmes is gone. Stephen Hill is battling a hamstring problem. What’s left? Chaz Schilens? Facing the Texans on Monday night, Kerley could have a Dwayne Bowe-type game — nothing for three quarters, then rack up stats in garbage time.
Anthony: Avery — Green Bay’s passing defense, though much improved, still is questionable. With the focus of Indy’s passing game being on Reggie Wayne, QB Andrew Luck could look to Avery early and often in what will inevitably turn into a shootout in the dome at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Last week: Drew 21 (Andy Dalton — 244 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 INT, 5 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD), Anthony 4 (Christian Ponder — 111 passing yards, 5 rushing yards)
Season: Drew leads, 3-0-1
dloftis@nypost.com