Vikings running back Adrian Peterson returned to a limited practice on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s session with a hamstring issues that’s been bothering him for several weeks.
Peterson said he bruised the hamstring more than a month ago and informed the team last week about the problem because he was feeling increased tightness. Peterson played against the Giants after being listed as probable, his first appearance on the injury report with the hamstring issue, but managed just 28 yards on 13 carries as the Vikings slumped to a 23-7.
Peterson said Thursday that he feels the hamstring injury has impacted him mentally in terms of not cutting loose on the field, something he doesn’t think will be the case against the Packers this weekend.
“I feel like it was definitely hurting a little bit,” Peterson said, via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “I feel like it was more in my mind. It’s strange to say that, but I think I was kind of holding myself back, not being able to stretch out and really run. I think I was kind of hindering myself. Now that I’m able to be more relaxed and got a clearer mind, I think I’ll be able to go out there and go full speed.”
Getting more from Peterson this week would make the life of Christian Ponder, Josh Freeman, Tommy Kramer or whoever the Vikings stick at quarterback this week considerably easier, although there’s something of a chicken and egg situation because better quarterbacking would open more space for Peterson on the field. Wherever you come down on that question, a healthy Peterson in body and mind is something the Vikings absolutely need to have if they’d like to increase their win total anytime soon.