Adrian Peterson returns

[Lee Borgersen]

  Adrian Peterson to return as Vikings fight for playoff spot.

 Dec 12, 2016 at 10:47 p.m.

  ......
Things are finally looking up for the Minnesota Vikings, even if their head coach can't literally look up because of restrictions he faces as he scraps his way back from four surgeries to repair a detached retina in his right eye.

First, the Vikings rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the lowly Jaguars 25-16 in Jacksonville on Sunday. They're 7-6, including 2-1 in their last three games, good for the No. 8 spot in the NFC and within one game of a playoff slot heading into Sunday's home game against the 6-7 and struggling Colts.


  .......
Then, a day later, a guy named Adrian Peterson announced that he's returning to practice this week with the hope of being able to play the following week on Christmas Eve at Lambeau Field. The 31-year-old former league MVP has been on injured reserve since having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee suffered during the win over the Packers in Week 2.

A week after telling reporters he wouldn't return if the Vikings were out of the playoff picture "for obvious reasons," Peterson told Dash Radio on Monday that, "I'll be back in the building and plan on practicing this week to really get my legs under me and get a good feel on where I'm at. So this week is going to be big for me."

Peterson was averaging only 1.9 yards per carry before being injured. But, if healthy, he would change the way defenses play the Vikings, allowing quarterback Sam Bradford more opportunities to throw the ball deep, as he did with success at Jacksonville.

Peterson also would help solve the Vikings' woeful short-yardage and goal-line running. Sunday, the Vikings fumbled the ball away on third-and-goal at the 1, and were stopped on third and fourth down from the 1.

Meanwhile, Zimmer is gaining a lot of toughness cred in the locker room for refusing to miss back-to-back games because of his eye surgeries. He had surgeries the day before and after missing the loss to Dallas on Dec. 1. But he never had a doubt that he'd be on the sideline in Jacksonville 10 days later -- eye patch, sunglasses, reading glasses and all.

"Since the day I walked in the building here, I've talked about toughness," Zimmer said. "There's a sign up there somewhere that says, 'Take ownership in something bigger than yourself.' I want to do good for the fans -- the fans we had down there in Jacksonville, they were unbelievable -- and for the organization and the players. If you're going to preach it, you need to walk the walk, too."

The Vikings once owned the league's last unbeaten record at 5-0. Now, they're taking the approach that they need to win out and hope other teams lose ahead of them. The NFC North is virtually out of reach because the Vikings would need to win out and have the Lions (9-4) lose their last three.

But, for now, the scrappy coach and his resilient team keeps on fighting. And they could be getting a significant reinforcement come Christmas Eve.

[Lee Borgersen]

Peterson practices with Vikings; game status unclear

 Dec 14, 2016

  .....
Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson returned to the active roster Wednesday and took part in a walk-through practice session, although it's still not certain when he'll play again.

Peterson practiced for the first time since suffering a torn knee meniscus during a Sept. 18 game against the Green Bay Packers.

He's been on the team's injured reserve list, but NFL rules allow the Vikings to bring one player back from injured reserve and back onto the 53-man roster during the season.

The Vikings play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Two more regular season games against the Packers and Mighty Chicago Bears will follow. The team is currently 7-6 this season and still hoping to secure a playoff berth.

Peterson will be a full participant in this week's practices, Head Coach Mike Zimmer told reporters Wednesday morning.

Asked if he'd play this Sunday, Zimmer said, "I don't know. We'll see."

[hawg]

Gutless, dump him! No room for a guy that says I'll play IF......

[Lee Borgersen]

Gutless, dump him! No room for a guy that says I'll play IF......

  I agree.

[snow1]

He's done! put a fork in him,or at least he should be,he had a good run why push the injury issue,or yeah I forgot he has 11 kids to feed that we know of.

[LPS]

This whole Adrian thing is getting out of hand.  Well it did 2 years ago.  He for punishment for beating his kid (we would have been in jail) got 15 mil or whatever it was and couldn't appear at work.  How harsh that was.  Then he plays into his second game and gets hurt.  SO now the poor fella has to collect his next batch of appx. 15 mil a year and he still can't work.  How cruel life has been to poor Adrian.   AND to top that HE isn't sure he wants to play if it isn't important......  Kiss my ass!!!   I would rather he didn't play and cut him at the end of the year.  OR maybe we can get something for him in trade...  Anything.  I have read (so that doesn't mean it is true) that if he plays for us in a game this year and if he gets injured again we are responsible to pay him for all of next years salary of another 15 mil appx.  Why take the chance. 

[Bobby Bass]

AD will be done with the Vikes the end of the season. He will get picked up by someone for next season but not at the money he is making now. He still has a few years left in him but not as a  10 plus mil back. more like 5 or 6 and he will make some team happy. Look for the Vikes in the draft to find a replacement for their new offense what ever they decide to call it. It does not make any sense for him to play this season and risk injury and reduce his status on the market... I hope the Vike go and find a big back with hands not these little guys

[Reinhard]

Looks like AP will play this Sunday as to today's report.  Regardless of the games he will play from Sunday on, I think this is it for AP as far as the Vikings are concerned.  He will play hard because he is looking for a future spot on some team so hopefully that helps us.  But I don't care for him after what he did to his son.  Great player in the past, of course, but I place character first.  Hope he helps the team but at the end of the season he will be with another team as I see it.  good luck.

[LPS]

My sentiments exactly RH.  Hope he helps us but then hope we can find another big RB for the future.

[hawg]

Any believers still out there? Get the rope!!

[lovebigbluegills]

I just checked the vikes score.....UFFDA!!!!

[Lee Borgersen]

Bend over boys cuz it's over


 The Vikes Are Toast
 

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[glenn57]

  yepper it is but them vikes are still kite years ahead of Dem mighty bears!

[Dotch]

After cleaning barn last Sunday, today I stopped working on a writing project to watch the first half. When AP coughed the ball up I was tired of their performance so made some lunch. Worked on the writing project over halftime figuring they'd come out with a little fire in their bellies. No sooner had I sat down in the chair and covered up with my blankie, then Luck throws a 55 yard td pass to wide open guy. Enough of that chit, back to work. Will be focusing on Gophers BB & hockey. I don't expect a lot out of them so I'm usually not disappointed. At least they show signs of life from time to time, something the Vikings have not done since the first 5 games.

[kenhuntin]

Probably just played his last Minnesota home game

[LPS]

So it looks like keeping Adrian for the last 3 years for 15 -18 mil  a year and to get 0 performance is equal to the Herschal Walker trade.  SO think about that.  Using Adrian the first half and changing the offense stategy cost us the game.   I actually think the whole team did a boycott of Adrian and I hope the coaches get it.... 

[Lee Borgersen]

yepper it is but them vikes are still kite years ahead of Dem mighty bears!

Could someone other than Glenn please explain to me what the for mentioned phrase vikes are still kite years ahead means

[Outdoors Junkie]

Bend over boys cuz it's over


 The Vikes Are Toast

I agree with you Lee on the Vikings, but why couldn't your Bears finish off the Packers? That was an excited 4th quarter and I was pulling for da Bears!

[Lee Borgersen]

Bend over boys cuz it's over


 The Vikes Are Toast

I agree with you Lee on the Vikings, but why couldn't your Bears finish off the Packers? That was an excited 4th quarter and I was pulling for da Bears!

Because they have become the almost team! They lost a lot of close games this year. I also think they have inherited the Old Cubs Jinks 

[hawg]

I think the only prayer we have of dumping Peterson is with a team that DESPERATELY needs a running back for the playoffs. Nobody will pick up his contract for just 1 year. I don't care if we get the best line money can buy, he's done. Egotistical prick thinks he's to good for preseason and only practices when he feels like it.

[Bobby Bass]

So it looks like keeping Adrian for the last 3 years for 15 -18 mil  a year and to get 0 performance is equal to the Herschal Walker trade.  SO think about that.  Using Adrian the first half and changing the offense stategy cost us the game.   I actually think the whole team did a boycott of Adrian and I hope the coaches get it....

He is going to get release, they have been saying that all year long, he is done as a Vike.. the two years off from playing football yesterday sure showed.

[Reinhard]

Ya, now way they keep AP.  I think there will be some team interested in him.  I thought it would be Dallas but the Elliot kid is the real deal for them.  We need a big running back who can catch.  I don't think any team in our division will go anywhere in the playoffs.  Yes the Vikings sucked big time yesterday.  However I think Zimmer will get this team to a playoff champion and into the Super Bowl at some point soon.  He said he wants fighters.  Those who do not fight to win, he will let go regardless of status on the team.  My kind of coach.  good luck.

[Boar]

yeah it will take some time yet. but we'll get ther..

[Lee Borgersen]

   Vikings’ liability if Adrian Peterson is injured: $1.15 million

  .....
The Vikings are all but out of the playoff race, but they don’t run much of a financial risk if they choose to play running back Adrian Peterson in the final two games.

Peterson, 31, returned Sunday against Indianapolis after missing 11 games with a torn meniscus in his right knee. If he were to suffer a serious injury in either of the final two games, the Vikings would not be required to pay him more than $1.15 million next year.

Peterson is under contract for $18 million in 2017, but it’s all but certain he won’t end up playing for that amount. Minnesota could release him in March and owe him nothing or could sign him to a renegotiated deal.

Peterson said he plans to play Saturday at Green Bay even though the Vikings have just a microscopic chance to make the playoffs. He has not committed to the Jan. 1 regular-season finale against Chicago at U.S. Bank Stadium.


If Peterson were to suffer a serious injury against the Packers or Bears, a salary-cap expert explained Monday why the Vikings would be limited by what they might have to pay him.

“The only guarantee, and every player has this in the NFL, so it’s not specific to him, is an injury-protection payment,’’ said Jason Fitzgerald, who runs the website OverTheCap.com. “The basics of it are that if you have a multi-year contract and can’t play (at some point) in the final game because of injury, and you are cut the following season due to being injured, then a portion of your salary will be protected.

“That amount is the lesser of 50 percent of the player’s (seasonal base salary) or $1.15 million. So for Peterson, that would be an extra $1.15 million to release him if he sustained a serious injury. The rest of his contract would not be protected.’’

Peterson was on the field for Sunday’s game for just 12 plays. In a 34-6 loss, he carried six times for 22 yards, and lost a fumble in the second quarter.

“There were some runs he probably needed to do a little bit better, and there were some times where there wasn’t much there,’’ Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Monday.

[hawg]

" hasn't committed to play the last game against Chicago "  sums it all up. Get rid of this human piece of garbage, rephrase gutless garbage.  What kind of message can this possibly send to the rest of the team. If Zimmer tolerates this he's not the coach I thought he was, and he might as well go to.

[LPS]

You summed it up perfectly Hawg.  Does Adrian now own the team and he decides when he will play or not????  Either in or out.  I hope done for the year.  Good to see we only owe him a mil if he gets injured again.

[hawg]

If I was an offensive lineman this week would be his last before the injured reserve list.

[Reinhard]

What a crazy thing to say.  Haven't decided on the Bears game yet.  He doesn't get to decide that.  You would think that he would want to play the remaining games to show how great he thinks he is still.  Must have a ego or something.  He was ready to play last Sunday so that would make him ready in games to come.  He will not be part of the Vikings next year for reasons already stated.  I would bench him the rest of the year but they took him off IR.  So he is using up space.  let him use up the space for he no longer is part of the team in his own mind.  good luck.

[hawg]

Poor guy just tries too hard. He's hurt again! If this jerk ever gets even a mention for Hall of Fame I think I'll quit watching the NFL forever.

[Lee Borgersen]

What a crazy thing to say.  Haven't decided on the Bears game yet.  He doesn't get to decide that.  You would think that he would want to play the remaining games to show how great he thinks he is still.  Must have a ego or something.  He was ready to play last Sunday so that would make him ready in games to come.  He will not be part of the Vikings next year for reasons already stated.  I would bench him the rest of the year but they took him off IR.  So he is using up space.  let him use up the space for he no longer is part of the team in his own mind.  good luck.

  Please play in "DA Bears" game "O' Great One. You see, we Chicago fans have lost respect for you also and look forward to seeing you get your Kicked! That's of course if you can still walk after "The Pack" gets done wit- ca