The Arizona Cardinals will be without Adrian Peterson on Sunday when they take on the Washington Redskins, placing the running back on injured reserve Thursday with a neck injury.
On Friday, Peterson told ESPN that he wants to keep playing next season.
“The good news is my neck injury doesn’t require surgery, but I’m told by Dr. Robert Watkins that the best thing for me is just more rest than the length of this season,” he said. “Obviously, I’m disappointed about going on IR when my body is still able to produce, but I look forward to returning completely healthy for another season in 2018. I’m grateful for the opportunity that the Arizona Cardinals have given me to show that I can still contribute to an NFL team.”
Peterson had been out since Nov. 26 after hurting his neck against the Jacksonville Jaguars. At age 32, it’s no guarantee Peterson will be offered a contract next offseason.
The running back had trouble finding work this year, signing with the New Orleans Saints in April, a month later than the NFL’s normal free agency period. Peterson wasn’t a fit in New Orleans and was traded to Arizona after just four games.
With the Cardinals, Peterson started off strong — rushing for 134 yards in his first game with the team. He finished the season with 529 yards on 156 carries.
The Cardinals face the Redskins at 1 p.m. Sunday at FedEx Field.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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