With a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings kept their playoff hopes alive, but the victory also meant Adrian Peterson's return this season remains on track.
The veteran running back said Monday in an interview on dashradio.com that he plans on practicing for the first time since tearing his meniscus in September, and that he's aiming to play in the Week 16 divisional tilt against the Green Bay Packers.
"I plan on practicing this week to really get my legs under me and get a good feel on where I'm at," Peterson said, according to John Shipley of the Pioneer Press.
"So, this week is going to be big for me. My plan, and my vision, is to be back for the Green Bay game (on December 24). That's what I'm envisioning. Of course, the perfect scenario would be we win out and I'm able to rest up for three weeks, and be ready for the playoffs. That's the perfect scenario. But I'll be out there this week practicing, and I'll go from there."
Peterson's knee is reportedly almost nearly fully healed, and head coach Mike Zimmer admitted the former NFL MVP is "probably ahead of schedule."
If the Vikings drop out of contention, it's likely the team will shut down Peterson for the rest of the season.
