There was once a time when Toby Gerhart ran the ball, a lot even.
Of course, that was mostly in college, as he’s gotten little work since Vikings starting running back Adrian Peterson got well last season.
But Gerhart was glad to feel a little pain this week, as it meant he had done something the week before.
“It was just fun,’' Gerhart said of the extra reps last week against the Seahawks, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “It felt like the first time I’d played in a while. I woke up sore and [thought], ‘Wow, that is what it feels like to get hit again.’ ''
Through the first nine games, Gerhart never carried more than once in any of them. But with Peterson struggling through a groin strain, he had seven attempts for 67 yards in the blowout loss.
What that means for the future remains to be seen. Peterson didn’t practice Wednesday, though coach Leslie Frazier said he was “cautiously optimistic” his star back could go against the Packers Sunday.
“The groin has been bothering him,’' Frazier said. “We’ll see what we need to do this week. Is he able to practice [Thursday], or do we hold him back until Friday?’'
Until then, Gerhart will need to hit the ice, after a long time of not needing to.