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Minnesota Vikings: Expectations for Adrian Peterson’s Return

By Luis Tirado Jr.

Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports /
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Adrian Peterson makes his long-awaited return to the Minnesota Vikings offense in Week 15, but expectations aren’t exactly high for the running back.

The Minnesota Vikings are undoubtedly happy for the return of their premier running back, Adrian Peterson. Out for the majority of the season due to a torn meniscus injury, Peterson is ready to do whatever it takes to push his team into the NFL Playoffs as he returns in Week 15. However, the question that AP and the Vikings face is what the expectations are of the Oklahoma product.

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At the start of the regular season, Peterson didn’t seem like his usual self. Whether it was age creeping up on him or a result of the putrid offensive line that has plagued Minnesota all season, he didn’t amount to much of anything. After he was hit with that unfortunate injury, there was no telling if he’d ever return to a competitive level, let alone come back at all this season and be effective.

The Vikings are currently 7-6, but still in the playoff hunt. With just a few weeks left in the season, the odds are against them in the super competitive NFC North. With the Detroit Lions on top and the Green Pay Packers looming, the Vikings must play lights-out football from here on out if they want to reach the postseason. Subsequently, huge production from AP upon his return would be huge.

Unfortunately, don’t expect much of anything out of the return of Peterson. It’s not realistic to expect that Peterson will both return from a serious knee injury and shake off the rust from not playing for almost an entire season to put up a milestone game.

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It’s not easy to come back from everything Peterson has been dealt with, but expectations should be very low heading into this game. This isn’t the same Peterson the football world grew to love that was able to plow through defenders and fake out the opposition with his unique skill-set. This is an older version of Peterson coming back to help a struggling team turn this season into a positive one. However, he might not be enough to make much of a difference. Unfortunately, he’s not going to fix their offensive woes.

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