Vikings don't expect that RB Adrian Peterson will play in the preseason

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer expects Adrian Peterson once again won’t play in the preseason, and the star running back is fine with that.

I probably don’t see that, no,’’ Zimmer told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday. “We’re talking in June, so you can’t hold me to it, but he’s carried the ball a lot (in his eight-year career) and he’s going to continue to carry the ball a lot. He’ll get plenty of looks and reps in practice.’’

Peterson, who returned to the Vikings last week, has no problem with again likely not playing in the preseason.

“It’s the same as before, nothing new,’’ Peterson told the Pioneer Press after having played in the Vikings Children’s Fund Golf Tournament at Rush Creek Golf Club. “I don’t think (he’ll be pushing to play). They’ve seen enough of me. I’ll be ready to play.’’

Throwing out his one-game season in 2014, Peterson never finished outside of the top 6 on a per game basis in standard formats (or outside the top 11 in PPR) in his previous seven seasons. He's now on the wrong side of 30, but his legs should be fresh after taking a full season off to deal with his criminal case. OC Norv Turner has a history of feeding the ball to his top running back; LaDainian Tomlinson averaged 20.9 touches per game from 2007-09 while he and Turner were in San Diego. That included 2.86 receptions per game, which would represent a career high 45-46 receptions for Peterson if he catches the ball at the same rate.