Vikings running back Adrian Peterson told reporters he could practice again as soon as Sunday, but doesn’t want to wear a brace on his surgically repaired knee when he does.
Peterson obviously won’t play in Friday’s exhibition opener against San Francisco, but indicated he shouldn’t be out too much longer.
“We’re going to talk [Wednesday] night a little bit,” Peterson said, via Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com. “I’m looking forward to being out here pretty soon. I’ve been out for like two weeks, so it’s time to get going. I know that they understand that and they’ve been watching and they’ve been getting good feedback, so I’m sure they’re pretty much as excited as I am.”
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Peterson’s “going to be relentless until we let him back out there,” and maintained that he wanted to see Peterson get some carries in the preseason.
Peterson had surgery to repair his torn ACL and MCL on Dec. 30, but has no plans to wear a protective brace when he does return.
“It’s just uncomfortable,” Peterson said of wearing a brace. “It is what it is. If I get hit in the knee, it’s like I’m back to normal now. I’m just looking at it like that.
“I’m not trying to have that mentally — ‘I’ve got this knee brace on’ so you’re kind of playing timid or you’re kind of thinking a little more. I’m just going all natural like I’ve been.”
The reality is, most braces players wear after such injuries are for psychological stability more than physical, and if Peterson feels strong enough, then it shouldn’t be a problem.