Adrian Peterson to return to the Vikings this Sunday vs. the Colts

Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) against the Green Bay Packers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) against the Green Bay Packers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said during a radio interview on Friday that he will be suiting up for the team’s game this Sunday.

In an announcement that was not expected for at least another week, the Minnesota Vikings will have all-pro running back Adrian Peterson back in the lineup this Sunday when the team faces off against the Indianapolis Colts.

Peterson broke the news during an interview on Friday with Dash Radio. The running back had previously said that his goal was to return for the team’s game against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Eve.

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball and is injured on the play during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball and is injured on the play during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

But he has been practicing all week with the team and he obviously felt good about how everything has gone so far. Sunday’s matchup against the Colts will be Peterson’s first game since injuring his knee back in Minnesota’s Week 2 win over the Packers.

With Peterson back in the lineup, the Vikings will be hoping he can provide a boost for the NFL’s worst rushing attack this season. How much the running back play on Sunday has yet to be determined, but it seems likely that Minnesota will ease him back into the offense until his conditioning is back at a normal level.

Next: Bradford excited about Peterson's return

The Vikings basically need to win all three of their final games this season to make the playoffs and having Peterson back on the field will at least improve the chances of that actually happening.

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