12°c Rain showers
8°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Vikes will wait until last minute on Peterson
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings are willing to wait until game time to determine whether running back Adrian Peterson plays in the season opener against Jacksonville.
Coach Leslie Frazier said after Friday's practice there is no reason to decide before the active list must be declared 90 minutes ahead of kickoff on Sunday. This was a back track from Thursday, when Frazier said the Vikings would figure out Peterson's status on Friday night or Saturday morning.
"We'll definitely have an answer on Sunday, one way or another," Frazier said, innocently stating the obvious.
Peterson was listed as questionable to play the Jaguars on the injury report, which by definition gives him a 50-50 chance. The 27-year-old two-time All-Pro pick is recovering from reconstructive surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee last Christmas Eve. He's had no setbacks during his rehabilitation, and all signs have pointed to his participation.
Frazier has repeatedly refused to grant Peterson, arguably the franchise's most important player, clearance ahead of time. The coaches and trainers will discuss Peterson's status further this weekend, Frazier said, before reaching their decision. But the Vikings have already acknowledged their plan to limit Peterson's carries, with Toby Gerhart getting the majority of the work, and offensive co-ordinator Bill Musgrave said on Thursday he doesn't have much doubt that Peterson will be able to play.
Peterson, of course, has been the one pushing the conversation. As fiercely determined as any player in the NFL, he has steadfastly assured his readiness for the start of the 2012 season since he began working out in the spring.
The Vikings ruled three backups and special teams players out of Sunday's game: linebacker Marvin Mitchell, safety Andrew Sendejo and wide receiver Jarius Wright. They all have sprained ankles; the team hasn't specified on which legs. Backup cornerback Marcus Sherels, the primary punt returner and alternate kickoff returner when Percy Harvin is given a break, has recovered from his sprained ankle, however, and was listed as probable.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 8, 2012 0
More Football
- Back to Top
- Return to Football
More Football
(1 of 3 articles for this month)
A tough act to follow
05/16/2013 1:00 AM 0There are tough encores in sports, but just imagine what is staring the Toronto Argonauts in the mug today after ...
Poll
Most Popular Football
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Bombers training camp opens June 2
- Man with no plan tries again
- New GM Ed Hervey says Edmonton Eskimos have upgraded their offence
- Blue sign draft picks Fitzgerald, Pavlopoulos
- Bombers pick Fitzgerald, Pavlopoulos
- Bombers load camp roster with two DBs, LB, receiver
- Bombers handing off opening-day ball to fans
- Bombers sign three defensive players
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Bombers training camp opens June 2
- Bombers load camp roster with two DBs, LB, receiver
- Game ball to tour communities before grand opening of new Bomber stadium
- Bombers pick Fitzgerald, Pavlopoulos
- Bombers sign three defensive players
- CFL gains when draft picks go south
- Blue sign draft picks Fitzgerald, Pavlopoulos
- Bombers handing off opening-day ball to fans
- Bombers detail parking plan for new stadium
- Bomber boozers will change or they 'won't be here': GM Mack
- Hall turning heads at Bomber mini-camp
- Bombers are watching you
- CFL draft pick Mulumba would be proud to be a Bomber
- Bomber security to wave wands this season
- Bomber GM silent on Tebow's CFL prospects
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Bombers boast record season-ticket sales
- Blue in the red: Bombers to report a loss of almost $800,000
- Game ball to tour communities before grand opening of new Bomber stadium
- Bombers handing off opening-day ball to fans
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Super Bowl MVP to speak in Winnipeg
- CFL gains when draft picks go south
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Bombers detail parking plan for new stadium
- Bombers tackle parking issue
- Game ball to tour communities before grand opening of new Bomber stadium
- Blue in the red: Bombers to report a loss of almost $800,000
- Hall, Clement go to school
- Blue Bombers board of directors accepting nominations
- Bomber security to wave wands this season
- Bombers handing off opening-day ball to fans
- If it was up to me, I would have kept Brink and Elliott
- Going all-in on Buck a risky gamble for Bombers
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.