Adrian Peterson remains determined to play in the Minnesota Vikings' season opener. He needs to get on the practice field first.
Peterson, who tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee last December, has yet to be fully cleared for training camp. There's hope that can change next week.
"I'm looking forward to being out here pretty soon. I've been out for like two weeks, and it's time to get going," Peterson said, via The Associated Press. "I know that they understand that, and they've been watching and they've been getting good feedback. So I'm sure they are pretty much as excited as I am."
Peterson said he has given up trying to push coaches into letting him play, but Leslie Frazier sounded optimistic about his star running back.
"Everything I'm hearing is extremely positive, so we'll see where we are," the coach said.
"Everything he's done, he's right on point, but I say that without him ever participating in a drill with his teammates."
Peterson arguably is the greatest running back of his generation, but the Vikings need to be careful. Peterson badly wants back in, but that's expected. He also pointed to his patellar-tendon area Wednesday and said it still "feels funny."
That's all part of the recovery process, but the big picture should be the only picture here. The Vikings are rebuilding. There's no need to bring Peterson back unless he's 100 percent ready to return.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.
