Adrian Peterson on playing Sunday: 'I feel like I'll be ready to go'
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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Adrian Peterson missed a second consecutive day of practice on Thursday while continuing to receive treatment on his sprained right ankle.
But the Minnesota Vikings' All-Pro running back said he's making progress and believes he'll play in a 52nd consecutive game on Sunday against Buffalo.
"Yeah, that's something I take pride in, especially at the running back position -- it's all about your durability, be able to last long," said Peterson, who hasn't missed a game since Nov. 25, 2007.
"But then, I'm smart, too. So, I'm going to be able to test it out (Friday) and I feel like I'll be ready to go."
Asked whether he'd play if he's not completely healthy, Peterson said, "Oh yeah. Yeah. I've played plenty of times and not been 100 percent."
Peterson injured the ankle while being tackled in the second quarter of last week's win at Washington and didn't return, despite his best efforts to loosen it up on the sideline. An MRI on Monday showed only a sprain, according to interim coach Leslie Frazier.
"I had a high ankle sprain in college, but I can't compare it to that," Peterson said. "Initially when it happened, this is the worst pain I've felt as far as any type of ankle injury I've had. But just throughout the week, the pain has went away and the flexibility is getting back to where it needs to be and it's feeling good."
The most crucial test will be whether Peterson can cut on the ankle, and he won't know that until Friday. Given the time Peterson has missed already, the odds seem good he'll be listed as no better than questionable on the final injury report.
"I know my training staff will make sure I'll be ready to go," Peterson said. "And I know my body better than anybody else, so if I can go, I'll definitely be going."
