The Minnesota Vikings are one of the first teams to start training camp and Adrian Peterson could see his carries limited leading into the season to keep the running back fresh and if that happens, Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata likely will split time as the starter in the preseason and this comes as the addition of Mike Wallace is expected to help take pressure off both Cordarrelle Patterson and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Adrian Peterson has reportedly agreed to a contract restructure.
UPDATE: The Vikings and Adrian Peterson have agreed to a re-structured contract. Peterson's cap hits likely will come down, guaranteed money could rise. "SportsCenter @SportsCenter 2m2 minutes ago: Vikings and Adrian Peterson have mutually agreed to restructure final three years of Peterson's contract."
The Vikings and the Steelers are playing in the Hall of Fame game this year and that is why they will be the early teams to start training camp. The Vikings open things up on July 25 and Mike Zimmer said that he is expecting improvement from all three main phases of the game this year. Adrian Peterson has returned after a rocky offseason and he will take over as the starting running back again after playing in just one game last season.
Peterson was on the exempt list for all but one game last season and that means the Vikings will try and be careful with his use this season. According to NFL.com, Vikings RBs coach Kirby Wilson said that Peterson would be on a sort of snap count each week and that the team would be wise to make sure he is not overworked. The team used McKinnon and Asiata last year without Peterson and that gives them some experience for this season.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Peterson may not play in the preseason, as head coach Mike Zimmer said that there was a good chance that the running back would sit out. Zimmer said that Peterson has shown "no rust" since coming back and that he would not be worried about keeping him out for the preseason despite missing nearly all of last season. Peterson is a year older, but he now has one year less of wear and tear on his body.
Peterson's role could be a bit different this season, as the Vikings have a shotgun quarterback and a new offensive system that the running back did not really get to play in last year. Bridgewater played a lot out of the shotgun and Norv Turner likely will use the running backs as receivers out of the backfield. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Peterson "expects" to catch more passes this season and the running back also said that he likely would be used more on third downs.
Ben Goessling art ESPN.com predicts that Peterson could end up with 40 catches this season, which would be his most since his record setting 2012 season. Peterson has made over 40 catches just once in his career. The team is also excited about adding Mike Wallace, as Turner said he could be an explosive addition for the offense. Zimmer said it also could take pressure off of Cordarrelle Patterson and Bridgewater as he steps into year two.