Peterson to draw start in return vs. Colts

The Minnesota Vikings will give their star running back every opportunity to immediately regain his featured role.

Returning to the field for the first time since suffering a torn meniscus in Week 2, Adrian Peterson will start Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, the team announced.

Peterson's workload will be determined by how his surgically repaired knee feels during the game, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, so he may still be at least another game or two away from putting a struggling offense on his back.

But the mere chance Peterson could see significant work in his first game in three months provides yet another example of the seven-time Pro Bowler's incredible athleticism.

The Vikings will hope that Peterson's long-awaited return can spark the offense and provide some much-needed balance as the club attempts to lock down a playoff spot.

Peterson's dominance continued while suiting up for 16 games last season. He finished the year with a league-high 1,485 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 327 carries.