The Minnesota Vikings are ready to have Adrian Peterson back this year, but in the preseason he could be held out top save some strength and that could give Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata the chance to start to see who will be the main backup at running back this season and it comes as the addition of Mike Wallace should help Cordarrelle Patterson and Teddy Bridgewater on offense for Norv Turner.
Peterson came back ahead of minicamp this offseason after a sort of holdout against the Vikings and while he had some contract complaints, those appear to be in the past. According to Pro Football Talk, Peterson is on track to start training camp on time and head coach Mike Zimmer said to the media that he has "not shown any rust" since coming back to practice. Zimmer said that during early June workouts and the Vikings are heading into training camp soon, as they have the Hall of Fame game against the Steelers.
According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, there is a chance that Peterson will be held out for the preseason. Zimmer was asked about Peterson's use during the exhibition games and he predicted that the team likely will not be using Peterson much for those matchups. Zimmer said that Peterson would get plenty of work in training camp and that missing time in the preseason would not be an issue. Vikings RBs coach Kirby Wilson said to NFL.com that the team may also look at Peterson's "snap count" each week as he gets older.
All of that could give McKinnon and Asiata the chance to play more and it comes after those two started for the team last season with Peterson out. Wilson said that while Peterson looked "explosive" in camp workouts, the team will likely mix in McKinnon to help with "wear and tear." The Vikings do not want to overwork Peterson this season, as he is getting older past 30 and also missed all of last season apart from one game while being on the commissioner's exempt list.
Check here for more on the potential for Peterson having a snap count and Peterson being out for the preseason for the Minnesota Vikings. Check here for more on Patterson, Wallace and Bridgewater in the offense for Norv Turner this season.
The team also opens training camp early and that is part of the reason why the team will be looking at Peterson usage heading into the season so he is not tired out. McKinnon comes in after rushing for 538 yards in 11 games last season and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports he could be a "third down back" option for the team over Asiata. Asiata had 570 yards in 15 games last season.
The Vikings added Mike Wallace in a trade this offseason and that should be a big help for the offense. Adding Wallace could help take pressure off Cordarrelle Patterson, as he had a tough second year after a solid rookie season., Bridgewater also will be helped by Wallace, as the team did not have a true number one receiver last season. Wallace is looking to bounce back after some down years in Miami and he will be motivated to do it in Minnesota. Norv Turner gave Patterson some positive reports in cap and he comes in after making 33 catches last season, down from 45 the year before.
