Adrian Peterson returned to practice for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon, leading many to believe that he's ahead of schedule following last year's gruesome season-ending knee injury. That might not necessarily be the case, however, judging by the post-practice comments from Vikings coach Leslie Frazier.
Frazier told the Star Tribune that Peterson might still not be ready for the start of the NFL season, but rather his being removed from the Physically Unable To Perform list was just the next step in what could be a long process.
"I want to caution you," Frazier said after Peterson was taken off the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list on Sunday morning. "I know there are a lot of fans that are very optimistic and excited about seeing him back. But for us, it's just a part of the process. It doesn't mean a whole lot other than he's done a great job in his rehab up to this point.
"He's done everything he can do on the side, and now it's the next step in the process. It doesn't mean in the future he's going to be lining up with our team in the opening game [against Jacksonville on Sept. 9]. We don't know that."
Frazier didn't set a timetable for when we will know that, leaving quite a bit up in the air regarding Peterson's status at this point in time.
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