Peterson adjusting to new role: 'I didn't sign up for 9 snaps'

When Adrian Peterson used to suit up in Minnesota, he expected to play the majority of offensive snaps and get about 20-to-30 touches - but his latest trip to Minneapolis was much different.

Having to split backfield duties with Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, Peterson took the field for just nine plays and took only six carries for 18 yards. The 32-year-old says the role was not what he was hoping for when he signed with the New Orleans Saints, but it is something he will need to learn to live with.

"I didn't sign up for nine snaps, though. But unfortunately that's the way the game played out," Peterson said Thursday, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett. "In my mind, personally, I knew it was gonna take some adjusting. You know, me and Mark played in the last preseason game, and (Kamara) didn't even play that game.

"So with all three of us being out there, I knew it would take a game or so to kind of get adjusted. So we'll see how things (go) this week."

Peterson still has faith that he can be successful in a spell back role rather than his typical position, pointing out that he broke off a 9-yard rush to begin the game Monday night.

His lack of touches appeared to cause Peterson to get in a verbal confrontation with head coach Sean Payton on Monday night, but the veteran running back laughed off the reaction and clarified that the cameras made things look worse than reality.

"Of course, with the heat of the game, me being back in Minnesota and things like that, just catching that look - that intense look on my face, like I had …" Peterson said as he tried to re-create the look that was preserved on so many screen captures. "I actually got some laughs out of some of the memes that were made. And I still am to this day, it's funny."