Peterson not expected to play pre-season games
There are no expectations of Adrian Peterson to play during the NFL pre-season.
Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer does not expect running back Adrian Peterson to play in the NFL pre-season.
Peterson, who has not had a pre-season carry since 2011, played in just one game last season before spending the remainder of the year on the NFL's exempt list following a child abuse incident involving his then-four-year-old son.
“We’re talking in June, so you can’t hold me to it, but he’s carried the ball a lot, and he’s going to continue to carry the ball a lot," Zimmer said, via the St. Paul Pioneer-Press, following Wednesday's organised team activity (OTA) practice.
"He’ll get plenty of looks and reps in practice."
Peterson, a first-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2007, was the 2012 NFL MVP and reported to OTAs despite earlier reports that said he would hold out for a trade.
Peterson was reportedly unhappy with how the Vikings handled his family incident.
But when he met with the media last week, he admitted the discipline of his son was too harsh and was ready to move forward with football.
The last week of practices have been the first for Peterson sine September 12, but Zimmer said the six-time Pro Bowl running back has not shown any rust.
"He’s looked good," Zimmer said.
"He’s done a good job of really everything, carrying the football, a good job of protection, a good job of catching the football.
"He seems to be enjoying himself … it’s nice to see when we see him run the ball, get the ball in his hands and accelerate and the cuts he’s made, he’s looked exceptional."