Adrian Peterson To See High Usage Rate In 2015 Season: Mike Zimmer

After the drama of last season and after a restructured deal with his team, Adrian Peterson will take the field in the 2015 season with head coach Mike Zimmer promising a heavy workload for the star running back of the Minnesota Vikings.

“As much as he can take, and as much as he can handle in all the things that we're doing,” Zimmer told USA Today when asked about Peterson’s usage in the upcoming NFL season. “Obviously, we're going to have to spell him at times like you do a lot of guys. But we get down on the goal line, and we're probably not pulling him out, you know? He's our best player, and we're going to continue to use him.”

Vikings running backs coach Kirby Wilson, however, said earlier Peterson will have a “balanced” workload. Zimmer added he thinks Peterson is at peace with his current situation and with the team, and he’s confident Peterson is “going to run mean” despite his time off the field.

Peterson, who was suspended for all but one game in the 2014 season due to domestic abuse charges, will be returning to the NFL with a new contract that pays him $26 million in the next two seasons. Despite a year off the field, the 30-year-old remains the Vikings’ franchise player and one of the best players in the league.

The 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player and six-time NFL Pro Bowler (2007 to 2010, 2012 and 2013) has accumulated 10,190 rushing yards on 2,054 carries with 86 touchdowns in his career. However, Peterson has played in four NFL playoff games running for 367 yards on 93 carries with five touchdowns.