Adrian Peterson Hoping For December Return?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Vikings could be getting a big boost in the rushing attack, sooner rather than later.
Reports surfaced Monday that Adrian Peterson is targeting a return to the field sometime in December. He has been on injured reserved since tearing the meniscus in his knee during the regular season debut of U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.
Peterson was eligible to come off injured reserve for Week 11, which was Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals. An ESPN.com report suggests Peterson is expected to start running again this week and is targeting a mid-December return.
That could either be Dec. 11 at Jacksonville or when the Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts Dec. 18. The Vikings currently have one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL. They're averaging just 70 rushing yards per game. Getting Peterson back would be a huge boost for the Vikings, especially if they're staring at a potential playoff berth.
Adding fuel to the speculation was the release of Ronnie Hillman on Monday. He played just five games with the Vikings and got just 18 touches. That currently leaves the Vikings with Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon as their only healthy running backs.
Another thing to keep in mind as motivation for Peterson: The Super Bowl is in his hometown of Houston. He wants nothing more than to win a championship with the Vikings in his home state.
