Adrian Peterson Injury: Minnesota Vikings RB plans to play
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) breaks away from Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher (59) during the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson is playing through significant pain, and it was obvious that his groin injury had a noticeably negative effect on his performance in last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Peterson and Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier remained steadfast in stating that Peterson would play against the Seahawks despite never practicing that week, and AP did suit up. However, he ran for just 65 yards on 21 carries and clearly didn’t look as explosive as normal. His offensive line didn’t do him any favors against an excellent Seahawks defense, but both Peterson and Frazier admitted that the groin injury severely hampered him in that game.
Peterson is also listed as questionable on the Vikings injury report this week for today’s big rivalry game against the Green Bay Packers. With a win today, the Vikings would send the Packers playoff candidacy into severe doubt, so there is still plenty of motivation for winning this game.
The best running back in the game has always expected to play today, and this is something he relayed to reporters both on Thursday and Friday. Although AP didn’t start practicing until Friday, he told reporters that he expects to play. Now, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is tweeting that Adrian Peterson also told reporters that he’ll be “OK” and that the injury is “not that severe”. That’s solid Sunday morning confirmation, and nobody should expect Peterson to miss today’s game against the Packers. He plans on playing, he’ll play, he’ll start, and Toby Gerhart will probably end up being a fantasy afterthought again.