Vikings coach Mike Zimmer expects suspended running back Adrian Peterson to be on his team this year.
Zimmer sounded an optimistic note on PFT Live about Peterson returning to the Vikings, assuming he’s reinstated by the NFL after fulfilling his suspension for child abuse.
“I have not been able to talk to him since he’s been suspended, but I believe Adrian will be back,” Zimmer said. “If he plays, we’re planning on having him back with the Vikings.”
Zimmer did leave room for the possibility that Peterson will want a fresh start elsewhere, and he said if that’s the case, the Vikings would be open to it.
“If he was just dead set against it and he wasn’t gonna be happy where he’s at, then we’d discuss maybe something else, but I just don’t see that happening. I think he’s happy with the progress of where the organization is going, I think he’s happy with the way Teddy [Bridgewater] is playing and the things we’re trying to do to improve this football team and hopefully he’s excited to be part of it,” Zimmer said.
Asked if Peterson will be on the field for the Vikings in Week One, Zimmer answered, “I believe so.” It’s not a sure thing, but the Vikings are operating as if Peterson will be on the team in 2015.