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Cris Carter: Peterson reached expiration date with Vikings

Jeff Curry / USA TODAY Sports

Hall of Famer Cris Carter didn't finish his illustrious career with the Minnesota Vikings and he's not surprised Adrian Peterson won't either.

Carter spent 12 years with the Vikings, spanning the 1990s, but retired after one season with the Miami Dolphins. Speaking to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press on Saturday, Carter said he foresaw the same thing happening to Peterson who has spent 10 seasons in Minnesota.

The Vikings denied the contract option in Peterson's expensive contract on Feb. 28 and signed a new running back, Latavius Murray, on Thursday.

"I didn't think (Peterson) would finish his career with the Vikings," Carter said. "If you look at the number of times he's been injured the last couple of years and then also the price, what's going to be your price point?

"Eventually, everybody has an expiration date, including Adrian. I think the Vikings have gone about it the right way. ... I'm sure Adrian wanted to play for something significant (in salary)."

When Carter parted ways with the Vikings, he chose to void the final years of his contract with the team in order to become an unrestricted free agent. In Peterson's case, the Vikings made the roster move.

The market for the former NFL MVP has been slow to build, but Carter believes Peterson still has something left in the tank.

"I think he has some football left in him," he said. "I think football is a game that's very, very hard if you don't practice. Adrian hasn't practiced a lot the last two years, so I think it's affected his overall ability to be effective in the game."

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