EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN. (AP) - Adrian Peterson returned to Minnesota Vikings’ practice on Friday and is probable for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
Peterson, second in the league with 997 yards rushing, has been limited for three weeks with a groin injury and was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday. But the reigning MVP will be “ready to roll” when Minnesota hosts Chicago and its 32nd-ranked run defense Sunday.
Peterson was a full participant in Friday’s practice.
Rookie cornerback Xavier Rhodes and receiver Joe Webb passed their concussion tests and fully practiced Friday and are listed as probable. The Vikings will be without tight end Kyle Rudolph (broken foot) and cornerback Josh Robinson (fractured sternum) on Sunday.
“We’re pretty good health-wise,” coach Leslie Frazier said. “All of those guys that we were counting on at this point are looking pretty good. We’re not back to full strength, but we do have a lot of guys that are going to participate who we need to be on the field against a good football team on Sunday afternoon.”
Coming off the second-highest, single-season rushing total in NFL history, Peterson has played through hamstring and groin injuries this season. He expressed some frustration Friday, but is just 3 yards from the sixth 1,000-yard season in his seven-year NFL career. Last week’s 32-carry, 146-yard effort against Green Bay propelled Peterson into second in the league in rushing, just 12 yards away from Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy.
“It’s been a little frustrating at times, dealing with the nagging tightness of the hamstring and the groin, and just being 2-8-1,” Peterson said. “But you got to be resilient. You got to stay positive and make the best out of it. As far as my mindset, that’s what I’m trying to do. You know, I just continue to put in work, take care of my body and just continue to fight.”
Peterson has never backed away from making grandiose goals, entering this season with the intent of passing Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record set in 1984. Off the best day of his season last week and facing the league’s worst run defense in the Bears, Peterson didn’t want to make a prediction for Sunday.
“I’m not going to take it there,” Peterson said. “We like to emphasize the run and that’s what we’re going to try and do, go out there and try to establish the run game. I’m not going to make any predictions, just go out and do what it takes to win. So if that’s 150, then 150. Whatever it takes to win, that’s what we’re trying to do. I’m not trying to predict any number, any kind of stats right now.”
Chicago allowed 258 yards rushing to St. Louis in a 42-21 loss last week. Peterson and Toby Gerhart _ 91 yards on eight carries _ combined to give Minnesota a season-high 232 yards rushing in a 26-26 tie at Green Bay.
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