Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson Expects to Return this Sunday Against Colts

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:10 p.m. ET

Fansided, Luke Schultheis/FanSided via Horseshoe Heroes

According to Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, he expects to be reactivated off of injured reserve this weekend and play against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday:

The former All-Pro running back hasn’t played since tearing his meniscus in Week 2, but has been rigorously rehabbing his knee this season in the hopes for at least returning for a potential Vikings playoff run.

However, it looks as though he’s a little further ahead of schedule than initially anticipated, and it really speaks to the type of freak athlete Peterson is–even at 31 years old.

Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

That being said, it’s unclear just how many reps Peterson will actually receive against the Colts, as both pass savvy running back Jerick McKinnon and bruiser Matt Asiata should still be expected to carry a significant brunt of the rushing workload.

Coming off weeks of inactivity and still trying to full strengthen his knee, Peterson will likely be held to limited game reps.

Behind a suspect Vikings offensive line earlier this season, Peterson was only averaging 1.6 yards per carry–albeit on just 31 carries.

Still, as a 1x MVP, 5x First-Team All-Pro, 7x Pro Bowler, and 3x NFL Rushing Yards Leaders among many other accolades, Peterson’s presence in the Vikings offense can’t necessarily be discounted either. He’s the NFL’s 16th all-time leading rusher with 11,725 career rushing yards after all.

Dec 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Houston defeated Indianapolis 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts will have to account for his return, especially with one of their best run stuffers along the defensive line, Art Jones, recently declared out with a groin injury.

That’s with the team already without its veteran starting inside linebacker [and leading tackler] D’Qwell Jackson (suspension) and young run-stopping safety Clayton Geathers (neck) out for the remainder of the season as well.

It goes without saying, but the Colts run defense already reared its ugly head last weekend when it surrendered 107 total rushing yards on 21 carries (5.1 ypc avg) and a rushing touchdown to Texans running back Lamar Miller despite knowing full well that Houston was one-dimensional with the struggling Brock Osweiler behind center.

With Peterson potentially returning along with McKinnon and Asiata, the Colts should expect a ground-heavy attack by the Vikings offense (until their defense can prove they can stop it), as Minnesota starting quarterback Sam Bradford isn’t going to throw down the field much with such a stringy defense backing him up.

As such, the Colts defense will have to prepare for Peterson accordingly, as well as a heavy dosage of every other prominent Vikings running back.