If the Vikings want to get running back Adrian Peterson back on the field this season, they’re going to need to win their next couple of games.
Peterson spoke to reporters at the team’s facility on Wednesday and said that he expects his surgically repaired knee will feel well enough for him to return to action for the final games of the regular season. He appears to be targeting the December 24 game against the Packers as a possible return date, but added that it would be “pointless” to play in that game or their Week 17 matchup with the Bears if the Vikings are already out of playoff contention.
“Obviously, if we lose two games, we’re out,” Peterson said, via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “So we’ll just play it by ear. ... I’m thinking that we’re going to make the playoffs so that’s what I’m keeping my mind set on.”
The Vikings are in Jacksonville this weekend, so they stand a pretty good chance of winning their second game since October 9. They’ll play the Colts at home in Week 15 and winning both won’t give them a playoff spot, but it seems it would make it a lot likelier that they’ll have Peterson’s help for a final push.