Adrian Peterson has spent almost a full season away from the game and the rust might hinder his progress both for fantasy players and the Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson was hurt while participating in a running drill during Viking's training camp. He stayed in for another snap however eventually gave into the pain. He limped over to the sideline and eventually headed back into the locker room with the head athletic trainer, Eric Sugarman. Peterson would never return to practice however Sugarman, the man treating Peterson did.
Peterson is not going to play in any preseason games as far as we know and he did not play in the Hall of Fame game. Peterson also has limited contact in training camp practices, so how do we really know if he is ready for the season and not one bad tackle away from an Arian Foster like situation?
Peterson's track record suggests that he is a durable and dependable running back however last season his scandal destroyed many fantasy football teams. Peterson might have avoided a season long beating which could potentially make him better in the long run however a lot of rust could have accumulated on those old bones. After the injury backup Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon had this to say,
"He got tangled up, a defender fell on him, but he said he was alright. Everybody knows Adrian's got a cape on. He'll be back out here tomorrow. I don't think anybody's worried about him."
McKinnon may be right but a physical running back like Adrian Peterson getting dinged up in a limited contact practice sounds a little bit like a warning. Peterson will also be one of the few players the NFL world does not get to see until week 1 so how are we really supposed to know that he is ready to return as an every down back?
Peterson is 30 and is quite possibly the oldest back being drafted in the first round of most fantasy drafts, which itself is something to think about. Now as we stand on the cusp of another NFL season, fantasy owners must decide whether or not the 30 year old running back is worth the risk.
