Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Tuesday that the team is still figuring out whether or not running back Adrian Peterson will play this weekend against the Jaguars.
They’ll likely use Wednesday’s practice as one of the criteria for their decision. Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com passes along word that Frazier said during a radio interview that the limitations on contacting Peterson have been removed ahead of Wednesday’s session. Up until now, Vikings defenders were only able to hit Peterson above the waist because the team didn’t want him to take a shot to his surgically repaired knee.
With just a few days left before the opener against Jacksonville, the Vikes need to check off this box if they are going to put Peterson on the field. Getting through the practice unscathed probably won’t up Peterson’s workload from the “limited exposure” Frazier promised, but it will give the team a bit more peace of mind about even that reduced playing time.
There will likely be some holding of breath the first time Peterson gets hit in the legs, although the Vikings know that these are necessary steps to take before Peterson can be turned totally loose. If it goes well, our chances of seeing Peterson back in his customary role later this season will increase significantly.