VIKINGS’ ADRIAN PETERSON SAYS BACK INJURY WON’T KEEP HIM FROM PLAYING

Brett Favre may get all of the headlines for the Minnesota Vikings, but NFL insiders are well aware that running back Adrian Peterson is the key to the team’s offensive success.  Peterson’s threat alone is enough to open up options for the passing game.  He’s definitely more than a decoy, however—after winning the NFL rushing title last year he’s already off to a great start with 272 yards and four touchdowns in only two games.
 
There’s been a good deal of concern this week in the Twin Cities media about Peterson’s health.  Specifically, there are questions about the severity of a back injury suffered last weekend.  Peterson has been limited in his practice activities all week as a precaution, though both he and QB Favre as listed as ‘probable’ on the NFL’s official injury report.
 
The NFL’s leading rusher tried to downplay the significance of his injury in comments to reporters:

"God willing, I will be out there playing. Not a big deal at all."

He turned to deadpan humor when asked for details on the injury.  Asked when the injury occurred, Peterson quipped:

"It happened, like, a week back. But that's all behind me now."

Vikings’ offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell didn’t sound too concerned, but he wasn’t cracking jokes either:

"I'm comfortable with where he's at. I know he's been working hard to rehab. ... Right now, I think he's going to be OK, but we have to continue to go throughout the week with that."

Peterson ran for 92 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions last weekend.  His presence alone makes things much easier for the Vikings passing attack—opposing teams often put 8 or 9 men along the line of scrimmage to try and stop him, giving QB Brett Favre a great opportunity to get the ball downfield to his receivers in single coverage.
 
The Vikings host a team known for their own potent running game this weekend, as the San Francisco 49ers come to town.  The Vikings are a 6’ point home favorite with the total set at 39.  The line for the first half is Vikings -3’, with a total of 20.  They’ll remain at home the following week as the Green Bay Packers pay a visit for a game on Monday Night Football.  A road game will follow, as the Vikings will head to St. Louis to face the lowly Rams on October 11th.