Adrian Peterson’s Sole Focus Is On Returning To Vikings This Year

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of Adrian Peterson‘s thinking, reports that he “wants to get healthy and play, as soon as possible.”

According to Florio, Peterson’s sole focus is to rehab his knee following surgery to repair a torn meniscus and return to the team at some point this year.

There were a few reports from Sunday that mentioned it’s “virtually certain” the Vikings won’t retain Peterson at his current salary next year.

Florio  writes that Peterson will actually have a greater influence over his status in the event the Vikings approach him about reducing his 2017 compensation.

Peterson stands to make a base salary of $11.75 million for the 2017 season, but he’s also due a $6 million roster bonus in March, which pushes his compensation up to nearly $18 million next year.

Tom Pelissero of USA Today reported Saturday evening that Peterson has told people in and around the organization that he believes he can be ready in eight weeks when he’s eligible to be activated off of the injured reserve list.

Even so, Pelissero writes that this timeline is likely optimistic, and there still is at least some doubt whether he’ll be able to return at all this season from the knee surgery he underwent earlier in the week.

Had Peterson elected to trim his meniscus, he could have returned in two or three weeks. However, Peterson made the decision to repair his lateral meniscus, which leaves him with a three- to six-month timetable.

Pelissero writes that Peterson went with the repair procedure because he believes he has several more productive seasons in him and was concerned about issues that could pop up down the line.

The Vikings would have to wait until Week 11 to bring him back.

Peterson, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Vikings back in 2007. He’s currently in the second year of his three-year, $44 million contract that included $20 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $7.75 million for the 2016 season.

This season, Peterson has rushed for 50 yards on 31 carries (1.6 YPC) to go along with two receptions for seven yards receiving and no touchdowns.

We’ll have more regarding Peterson as the news the news is available.