Peterson hoping for first preseason carries since 2011

Adrian Peterson is looking to make a change to his non-existent preseason workload.

The Minnesota Vikings' star running back told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press on Wednesday that he hopes to get some exhibition work this summer for the first time since 2011.

"I feel like getting out there and playing a little bit," Peterson said. "It's something that once that time comes around, I'll have a better feel for, like, 'Hey, I need to get out there just to kind of get the legs moving and get the pads (on) a little bit.' I can tell you, though, I'm definitely more itching towards playing a little more in the preseason than I have the past seven, eight years."

The Vikings have been careful with Peterson since his knee injury suffered in December 2011, holding him without a preseason carry in each of the four years that followed.

While that strategy proved successful in keeping him fresh, the 31-year-old believes that it could have been beneficial to have gotten a few reps under his belt last year, after sitting out the vast majority of the 2014 campaign.

"Well, to be honest with you, I think in last year's case, after sitting out a year, it would have helped a little bit (playing in the preseason)," Peterson said. "But I think like (10) carries against San Francisco, that’s not going to allow your best player to get off to a great start anyway. … I am calling for (playing in the 2016 preseason)."

Peterson's insistence may force Minnesota to give him a few carries in August, but he likely won't need much work to get up to speed.

After recording just 31 yards on 10 carries in a season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers last year, Peterson's 134-yard effort led the way to a win over the Detroit Lions in Week 2.