Vikings Plan Lighter Workload For Running Back Adrian Peterson

The Minnesota Vikings plan to give Adrian Peterson a lighter workload in the 2015 NFL season, hoping the move will mean less wear and tear on the 30-year-old star running back. “I think it’s more about snaps per game, because that’s what you have to watch in regard to the wear and tear,” Vikings’ running back coach Kirby Wilson told NFL Media.

“How he’ll last for the season is the snaps per game, not the carries or attempts per game, because that comes with the territory," Wilson continued. "He’s going to get his amount of touches that he gets. It’s the other snaps and plays that will determine how successful he is at lasting during the season and being powerful, strong, aggressive and explosive.”

Peterson, who was drafted by the Vikings as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, will enter his ninth season in the league. Peterson has been a constant as a starter for the Vikings and the team's No. 1 back, except for the 2014 season, in which he played just one game because of a team and league suspension linked to his involvement in a child abuse case.

Peterson, who was the NFL Most Valuable Player in 2012, has been named to the NFL Pro Bowl six times, from 2007 to 2010, 2012 and 2013 and made the NFL All-Pro First Team in 2008, 2009 and 2012. Peterson has registered a total of 10,190 rushing yards with 86 touchdowns in 104 games played in his NFL career.