Adrian Peterson has shown resilience in battling back from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in his left knee last December.
The Minnesota Vikings running back is gunning to take the field Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but cast doubt Thursday about his status for the start of training camp.
"To be honest with you I feel like 50-50," Peterson told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "I feel like honestly, sitting here telling you the truth, I'll be able to participate doing certain things. I think I'll be able to participate.
I'm going to be all the way honest with you. I feel like I will be able to get out there and you call a run play or whatever, I'll be able to go through practice. That's how I feel. That's my mind-set; but I'm going to follow the protocol. Whatever the Vikings and their staff want me to do, then I'm gonna do that; but I'm not going to hinder myself. I'm going to let those guys know how I feel, so if I'm able to get out there and get a couple of reps or whatever, then I'm going to participate in that way. But I'm sure they've got my best interests in hand, so we'll work it out."
Coach Leslie Frazier first reported in April that his All-Pro back has been running wind sprints inside the team's field house, but Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman won't make any promises.
"I love Adrian," Sugarman said this month. "But let's make this clear: I'm still not going to be quoted as saying he's going to play in the first game. That's not fair. I don't know that."
The Vikings feel good about the progress of Toby Gerhart, who will carry the load if Peterson is sidelined for longer than expected. Peterson's absence would strip Minnesota of its most devastating weapon and workhorse. Even when the All-Pro returns, Peterson's play will be judged to determine if he's the same back he was before the injury.
