Adrian Peterson Says He’ll Play Sunday Vs. Colts; Can Vikings RB Contribute?
Adrian Peterson is done watching from the sideline, according to Adrian Peterson.
The Minnesota Vikings running back told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Friday he plans to play Sunday in the team’s Week 15 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
If Peterson keeps his word, it’d mark a remarkable comeback for the 31-year-old veteran. Peterson tore his meniscus in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers and underwent surgery on Sept. 22, all but guaranteeing he wouldn’t play again in 2016.
Yet the seven-time Pro Bowl pick returned to practice this week and said Tuesday he planned to be ready for Minnesota’s Christmas Eve matchup with the Packers. Now, it appears he’s even more ahead of schedule.
The Vikings certainly could use Peterson, as they rank dead-last in the NFL with 73.4 rushing yards per game. But what can Vikes fans and desperate fantasy owners expect from the 10-year veteran Sunday?
The Colts aren’t great against the run, allowing 115.4 yards per game on the ground, 24th in the NFL. Indy’s mediocre defense still might not be enough to spring Peterson free, though. He was averaging just 1.6 yards per carry (50 yards on 31 carries) this season before his injury, and he will be playing behind a makeshift Minnesota offensive line that’s been ravaged by injuries.
Peterson’s expected return is a good sign for the Vikings, but expectations should be tempered in his first game back from a major knee injury.
Click for our Week 15 fantasy starts and sits >>
Thumbnail photo via Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports Images
