Report: Adrian Peterson on track to return next month

By Steve DelVecchio, Source MSN Sports

Adrian Peterson has been on injured reserve since he tore his meniscus in Week 2, and many have essentially forgotten about him as the Minnesota Vikings fight for a playoff spot in the NFC. Believe it or not, the 31-year-old still may be able to contribute down the stretch.

Ben Goessling of ESPN reports that Peterson continues to make “solid progress” in his recovery from knee surgery and could be back on the field by mid-to-late December. Peterson, who was eligible to return in Week 11 but has not yet been cleared, could begin running this week if all goes to plan.

The Vikings are currently tied for the lead in the NFC North with the Detroit Lions. Peterson is said to be eyeing a potential return as early as Dec. 18 when his team takes on the Indianapolis Colts at home, or he could come back the following week on Christmas Eve for a big divisional game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Of course, Peterson recovered from a torn ACL in 2011 in less than nine months and went on to rush for 2,097 yards and win the NFL MVP award the following season.

“He’s a workaholic,” Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said Monday of Peterson. “I definitely wouldn’t put anything past this guy. He’s a fast healer. His makeup is definitely a fighter. We’ll see. I think [he’ll be back], but at the same time, you never know. That’s a tough injury to come back from.”

Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata have split duties in the Minnesota backfield since Peterson went down, and they have not been effective. McKinnon is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry while Asiata is not much better at 3.1 yards.

We heard an interesting report a while back about the way team officials felt the Vikings would fare without Peterson, but there’s no question the offense would be better off with A.P.