NFL Notes: Adrian Peterson returns to practice

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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Adrian Peterson was back on the practice field on Wednesday for the first time in nearly three months, and the Minnesota Vikings hope their star running back can give them the jolt they need to chase down a playoff berth.

Peterson's rehab of a torn meniscus in his right knee is nearly complete, allowing him to rejoin his teammates at practice as he ramps up for a highly anticipated return. Wearing a black brace on his right knee, Peterson took handoffs from Sam Bradford, ran routes and went through some agility drills during the portion of practice that was open to media.

Peterson was not available for comment on Wednesday, but did tell a local website earlier in the week that he is still targeting the Dec. 24 game in Green Bay for his first game since the injury against those same Packers in Week 2.

Coach Mike Zimmer did not rule out Peterson playing against the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) on Sunday, but that appears optimistic at this point. Peterson said last week that he likely would not play in a game this year if the Vikings (7-6) were eliminated from the playoff hunt, but after beating Jacksonville last weekend they remain very much in the mix in the NFC.

Cardinals: WR Michael Floyd released
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals released wide receiver Michael Floyd on Wednesday, two days after he was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and failure to obey a police officer.

Floyd was taken into custody after being found unconscious behind the wheel of his running vehicle at an intersection in suburban Scottsdale early Monday. He was booked and released from the Scottsdale jail later that morning.

Coach Bruce Arians said at the time that he was gathering information to determine "what our options are going forward."

Floyd, a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2012, had 33 catches for 446 yards and four touchdowns this season. Those were well off his 2015 stats, when he overcame early injury problems to catch 52 passes for 849 yards.

Colts: Luck expects to play despite soreness
INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Luck says he expects to play Sunday against Minnesota after missing Wednesday's practice with a sore throwing shoulder and a sore right elbow.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) have given Luck some extra days off this season in hopes of keeping him healthy.

But after sitting out Wednesday, Luck acknowledged that he was injured during last weekend's loss to the defending AFC South champion Houston Texans and that he deferred to the doctors and trainers.

He compared the soreness he's feeling now to how he felt after a Week 3 victory over San Diego when he also missed practice time.

Still, Luck said he "absolutely" would be ready to play against the Vikings (7-6).

Lions: Stafford throws with glove on hurt finger
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had a different look at practice Wednesday.

H wore a glove on his right throwing hand that covered only his injured middle finger. He seemed to throw accurately with a decent degree of velocity to teammates during the portion of practice that was open to reporters.

The New York Giants will provide a much tougher test for Stafford's ability to pass effectively with a banged-up finger outdoors and on the road this weekend.

Stafford hurt his finger in the first quarter of Sunday's win over Chicago. He played the rest of the game with a glove covering all his fingers and thumb on his right hand.

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