Add the Minnesota Vikings’ young linebacker to the list of players on the team’s defense that are eager to finally lay a hit on the former Vikings running back.
When the Minnesota Vikings take the field for the first time during the upcoming 2017 regular season against the New Orleans Saints, the air inside U.S. Bank Stadium is going to be full of excitement. Not only because of it being the team’s first game of the year, but also because Adrian Peterson will be playing against the Vikings for the first time in his NFL career as he is now a member of the Saints.
During his time in Minnesota, the team’s coaching staff let it be known that tackling Peterson in practice was not allowed. So now, all of those players on the Vikings’ defensive side of the ball that never got to hit the star running back during practice are salivating at the thought of finally being able to lay a hit on their former teammate.
On Tuesday night, Minnesota linebacker Eric Kendricks stopped by NFL Network and talked about the team’s first game of the season against Peterson and New Orleans.
"“He’s a good player, but I can’t wait to play him (in) game one. I don’t know what my schedule is, I don’t know who we play, when we play. But I know game one we’re playing the Saints and I can’t wait.”"
Kendricks is the latest member of the Vikings’ defense to express his desire to face off against Peterson this year. A few months ago, Minnesota defensive end Everson Griffen also talked about how much fun it is going to be to finally go and tackle his former teammate.
Peterson will certainly have a bullseye on his back when he faces off against his old team in Week 1. But motivation will obviously not be lacking for the running back as he prepares for his return to the city that drafted him back in 2007.
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He just better know that a hungry Vikings defense is going to be ready to pounce whenever he gets the ball in his hands come Week 1 at U.S. Bank Stadium.