Adrian Peterson pulled his hamstring working out, the sort of thing you would expect to happen to a man over 30.
The Vikings are downplaying the severity of Adrian Peterson’s pulled hamstring. Because that’s what you do when Adrian Peterson pulls a hamstring. You downplay it (via ESPN):
"On Saturday morning, Peterson said he would be fine, and Zimmer said the light workload was more out of caution than anything else.“He can do things; he just can’t turn it all the way loose,” Zimmer said. “We’re just being careful.”"
How careful will the Vikings be with Peterson and his aging body?
Earlier this offseason, Peterson indicated that he would like to see some preseason action to knock the rust off before the season.
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Mike Zimmer seemed less-than-enthused about the idea of using up Peterson in exhibition games but did leave open the door for AD to at least get a few carries.
After this newest physical setback, I have to believe that door has now closed.
Count me among the fans who would be happy to see Peterson sit out preseason and be fresh-as-possible for when the games really count.
Because let’s be honest: Adrian Peterson is no spring-chicken anymore.
We’ve grown used to the notion of Peterson as some indestructible force-of-nature. But guess what? He’s not.
Peterson will break down at some point. It’s not a matter of if but of when.
Late last season Peterson really battled with his health, suffering multiple issues including a back situation that seemed to hamper him in the final few games.
Peterson is presumably recovered from last year’s ills, but now he has this pulled hammy, apparently suffered during a workout on his own.
Sometimes a pulled hammy is just a pulled hammy, but sometimes it’s a sign that your body isn’t what it used to be.
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Hopefully Peterson will quickly recover from the pull and be ready to rock when the Vikings need him. But there’s cause to be concerned that this could just be the first in what will prove to be a string of ailments that represent the real beginning of Peterson’s physical slide.
If Peterson does lose a lot this year, the Vikings had better hope other areas of their offense are ready to improve and take up the slack.
They better hope Teddy Bridgewater and the passing game are ready to take another step, because Adrian Peterson might be ready for a fast fade.