Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier ended the speculation for a lot of Vikings fans and even more fantasy football owners. We won't get a chance to watch Adrian Peterson in the preseason.
"There are no setbacks. That's not the reason we're doing it," Frazier said Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. "We just feel like more time with him in practice with some of the things that we're doing and the progression of getting him ready for the season, it's the right thing to do."
Frazier's declaration Tuesday confirms reports out of Minnesota this week. The Vikings want to take it slow with Peterson even if he feels like he's ready to play. The target for Peterson's return remains Week 1, but there is no guarantee he'll play in the season opener.
"My goals are still the game," Peterson said. "I look forward to being back the first week."
Just last week, Frazier didn't rule out playing Peterson in the team's third preseason game. But the Vikings coach insists that Peterson didn't suffer a setback and says Peterson's return is going better than expected at this point.
Peterson's workload in practice backs up Frazier's statement. He had 18 carries in Monday's practice and showed no residual effects. His lack of preseason use indicates, however, that the team will lean heavily on Toby Gerhard to start the season. Frazier would not guarantee that that Peterson will be ready for the opener.
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