Adrian Peterson: "I'm ready to play"

[ThomasTomasz]

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Adrian Peterson hasn't wavered all summer: He says he is ready to play for Minnesota in the season opener.

The star running back, recovering from a surgically repaired left knee, said Thursday he has "somewhat" of a gut feeling about whether the Vikings will let him suit up on Sunday for the game against Jacksonville.

Peterson didn't specify whether he's expecting to play and knows the decision is out of his hands.

"I'm below; I got coach (Leslie) Frazier, then I've got the owner, there's a lot of people that's really calling the shots," Peterson said. "So, only thing I can do is control my part. I've been doing that this week, continue to do that today. And before the game, I'm going to go out there and see what I can do and hopefully I will get the nod. I want to play, obviously."

Frazier has said Peterson's participation won't be determined until right before the game, but said a decision would likely come after watching Peterson in practice Thursday and Friday. He said there was nothing the back could probably show the team on Sunday to change any previous declarations.

"I think we'd know Saturday where things are," Frazier said. "I don't think we'd work him out pregame to see if he's ready to play. We'll have a good idea after we get through with Friday where he stands."

Frazier has pushed a cautious approach, insisting this week that if Peterson does play against the Jaguars his workload will be limited. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said the team has determined an appropriate number of carries for Peterson in the opener if he suits up.

Peterson had surgery Dec. 31 to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee stemming from a hit in a game at Washington late last season. The knee injury, and a previous high ankle sprain that limited Peterson to 12 games, kept him from reaching 1,000 yards for the first time in his five NFL seasons. Peterson said it will be tough if he's told he won't be active for Sunday's game.

"It will be a hard pill to swallow," Peterson said. "So, hopefully that's not the case."

Musgrave said he doesn't have much doubt that Peterson will be ready and the team has developed a plan in case he is able to play.

"We do and we've talked about it as a staff, a plan for when he's in there, when Toby (Gerhart) is in there, when we spell both of them with Matt Asiata," Musgrave said. "I think it's a good plan and it will benefit everybody."

Peterson has increased his workload in practice, with Musgrave saying he's received between 25 and 35 carries.

Peterson said he is on the "same page" as the coaches and medical staff with the process of his rehabilitation. He said he hasn't felt any pain since returning to practice on Aug. 12, just some patellar tendon tightness which he's able to alleviate with stretching.

The four-time Pro Bowl back knows the final test will come only from reacting in game situations. He said he has no concerns about playing in a game and he's ready to take his first hit.

"I'm ready to play," Peterson said. "So that's 10 snaps, 5, 25, 30, I'm ready to roll. That's my mindset and how I'm feeling about it. So, I'm just going to keep my mind, my mindset, pointed in that direction."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8...n-says-ready-play-opener-jacksonville-jaguars

 

[Aso]

I hate these long ESPN articles. They throw in info just to make it long.


The Vikings plan to decide Adrian Peterson's (knee) Week 1 status before Sunday.
Coach Leslie Frazier hopes to have a decision by Friday night or Saturday morning, which would save fantasy owners a great deal of Sunday morning consternation. AP got in another limited practice Thursday, and most signs point toward him suiting up against the Jaguars. He's expected to have an extremely limited workload, however, and is shaping up as a poor flex play.


All you need to know...lol.

 

[Chrispy]

I hope so, I picked him

 

[dave]

At least AP got his money. Poor Boobie Miles.

 

[Len B]

I hope so, I picked him

Don't expect much out of him in September. Maybe 5-7 carries this week, 10-12 week 2, and then San Fran week 3.

 

[packersfan4eva]

Don't talk it. Do it. Go out there and show us you're fucking ready.

 

[for surtain 22]

Don't expect much out of him in September. Maybe 5-7 carries this week, 10-12 week 2, and then San Fran week 3.

Oops

 

[MrBill]

Of course, I bought into the hype and started Toby Gerhardt in fantasy based on reports that AP's touches would be extremely limited :facepalm:

 

[Senser81]

Glad I played Beanie Wells (ICK). I've already cut Wells from my roster out of spite. I really blame VSN.

 

[Saluki]

What Adrian Peterson did should go
Down as one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. He not only played, but played like Adrian Peterson. No one could have possibly expected him to run like that.
Sent from my HTC myTouch 4g using Tapatalk 2

 

[x0xHumblex0x]

he did play well.........i will give him that for sure.

 

[Point Blank]

Glad to see him play well coming off that injury. He's one of the few players from other teams I enjoy watching every week.

 

[Len B]

Oops

Glad to be wrong. Have him on two teams and now I'll be starting him every week.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

What Adrian Peterson did should go
Down as one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. He not only played, but played like Adrian Peterson. No one could have possibly expected him to run like that.
Sent from my HTC myTouch 4g using Tapatalk 2

I posted a thread but I am surprised it got no response. I know AP plays a glamor position and yes, this is a great comeback for sure. However, Logan Mankins played the entire season last year with a torn ACL, and for the playoffs, also had a torn support ligament in the same knee. I think that is most impressive, and no one knew until the off-season that this happened. He played in the Super Bowl, and here we are Week 1 and Mankins played.

Also, Rashard Mendenhall will likely make it back from ACL surgery in about the same timeframe that AP did. He had a great game yesterday, but it's not the most impressive story of the day in my mind.