The Vikings play their first preseason game this Friday against San Francisco and, to no one’s surprise, they will do so without Adrian Peterson. Peterson has been on active/PUP all training camp as he rehabs his knee and there is no plan to change his status before Friday, so obviously he won’t be getting in the game (even Adrian can’t talk THAT fancy). The Vikings aren’t going to rush Adrian back especially in the preseason. We’ve heard the team wants him to see at least some action before the regular season opener but I have to believe that’s more wishful thinking than anything.
Toby Gerhart will get the start in Peterson’s place, but as Tom Pelissero tells us, Gerhart’s reps will be limited as well (aren’t starters’ reps always limited in the first preseason game Tom?). It’s probably prudent to keep Gerhart’s workload as small as possible given that he is also coming back from an injury (and if Adrian suffers a set-back in rehab, well, Toby’s pretty much all we have running back-wise).
We might see buzz-worthy Jordan Todman Friday but he’s coming back from an ankle himself so who knows. Lex Hilliard figures to see the bulk of the carries if Todman can’t go, with UFA and official inspiring athlete Derrick Coleman also in line for some snaps.
Now might be a good time to remind everyone of the preseason schedule. Here it is:
Friday August 10th @ San Francisco (8 PM CT WUCW)
Friday August 17th vs. Buffalo (7 PM CT KARE)
Friday August 24th vs. San Diego (7 PM CT KARE)
Thursday August 30th @ Houston (6 PM CT KARE)
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