Adrian Peterson ‘pretty confident’ he’ll play vs. Vikings

ASHBURN — Adrian Peterson was in a walking boot Tuesday and missed practice for a second straight day with an ankle injury.

But standing at his locker, the Redskins running back said he plans to play Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings. He told reporters he is “feeling good” and should be able to face his former team.

“I feel pretty confident in saying that,” Peterson said. “(Monday) was rough. I really didn’t know. I woke up this morning feeling really good. The swelling I had went down tremendously and I was able to get some cardio in today and the hydro works. I felt good. We got two more days just to heal and do the necessary things the training staff are going to put me through.”

Peterson spent 10 seasons in Minnesota, becoming one of the best running backs of his generation. He is the last non-quarterback to win the MVP, doing so in 2012 when he rushed for 2,097 yards — the year after tearing his ACL.

Peterson, who suffered the ankle injury in Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers, said “of course” when asked if there’s added motivation to play since this week’s opponent is the Vikings.

“Of course I want to play against Minnesota,” Peterson said. “I was there for 10 years. 98% of the guys on the defense, I played with those guys. It’s going to be exciting to get out there and compete against those guys for four quarters.”

Thursday won’t be the first time Peterson will make his return to U.S. Bank Stadium. He did so as a member of the New Orleans Saints in 2017, the year the Vikings released him. Peterson said the reception from fans was good then and experts a similarly warm welcome this time around. “I wouldn’t expect anything else from Minnesota Vikings fans,” he said.

Interim coach Bill Callahan called Peterson’s injury “day-to-day.”

The 34-year-old was one of seven Redskins who didn’t practice Tuesday, including Chris Thompson (toe), Josh Norman (thigh), Josh Harvey-Clemons (hamstring), Montae Nicholson (ankle), Wes Martin (chest) and Deshazor Everett (ankle).

“(Peterson) feels pretty confident about it, so if that’s the case, then it’s really positive,” Callahan told Minnesota reporters on a conference call.