Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been saying since he went down with a torn ACL in December that he wants to be back on the field for Week One. But he might get back on the field for some live action even before that.
The Vikings are pleased with the progress Peterson is making and optimistic that he can get some carries during the preseason, coach Leslie Frazier said. Frazier was careful to make clear, however, that the Vikings will only put Peterson on the field in the preseason if they’re confident that he’s ready to go full speed and not risking a setback.
“Now, will that happen? I don’t know,” Frazier said. “We’ll see how he progresses. But ideally, you’d like to see him get some carries at some point in the preseason just for his benefit, where he can gain some confidence and get a feel for where he is and where he needs to be by the first game of the season.”
Peterson hasn’t been cleared to return to practice yet, but he has been working out on the practice field with trainer Eric Sugarman, and from all indications he’s looking good. (The picture here was taken at Vikings training camp on Saturday.) The Vikings would be delighted to have him working with the first-string offense in the third preseason game, which is about eight months after he suffered his injury. All indications are that Peterson plans to be there.