As the Vikings prepare for a prime-time game against the Giants, running back Adrian Peterson has done no actual preparation, yet.
Via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Peterson didn’t practice again on Thursday. Peterson said he expects to practice Friday.
The NFL’s leading rushing is optimistic he’ll play despite spraining an ankle on Sunday against the Bears, adding that “everything’s cool” with the ankle.
The Vikings have been dealing with plenty of injuries on the defensive side of the ball lately. On Thursday, defensive tackle Linval Joseph (foot), linebacker Anthony Barr (knee), safety Harrison Smith (hamstring), and defensive end Everson Griffen (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis. Joseph has missed three straight games; Smith and Barr have missed the last two.
The Vikings will clinch a playoff berth with a win on Sunday night, or if the Seahawks beat the Rams or the Panthers beat the Falcons earlier in the day.
Basically, the only way the Vikings don’t miss the postseason is if they lose their last two games, the Seahawks lose their last two games, and the Falcons win their last two games.