In news that hardly will be regarded as earth-shattering, jaw-dropping, and/or ACL-tearing, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is expected to suit up and play when they host the Jaguars for Week One of the regular season, per a source with knowledge of the situation.
Peterson suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 16, during a Christmas Eve game against the Redskins. The Vikings activated him from the Physically Unable to Perform list nine days ago, and he has returned to practice with coach Leslie Frazier providing a Francis Sawyer-style admonition to the defensive players.
He won’t play in the preseason.
Whether Peterson plays in the regular-season opener isn’t the real question. The real question is whether he’ll be the bell cow -- or the side car to bulked-up Toby Gerhart, who suddenly looks the part of a chain-moving tailback.
It could make sense to use both guys in moderate doses this season, giving Peterson a full year to recover.
Good luck explaining that one to Peterson.