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Adrian Peterson's father upset Vikings didn't reach out to son

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Dec 2, 2021 3:09 PM ET

Veteran running back and future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson is arguably the greatest offensive player in the history of the Minnesota Vikings. He most recently, completed a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans before they waived him last week.

Minnesota recently lost Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook to a shoulder injury for at least a couple of games, and Mike Florio notes the Vikings brought former Detroit ball-carrier Kerryon Johnson in for a workout instead of Peterson.

That decision didn't sit well with Nelson Peterson, the father of the seven-time Pro Bowl selection who ultimately joined the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad earlier this week:

Nelson Peterson on #Vikings not reaching out to son Adrian Peterson after Dalvin Cook hurt & bringing in ex-Lions RB Karryon Johnson for workout “That’s disappointing to me He never heard anything from the Vikings & you go in & bring in a guy Adrian beat out in Detroit (in 2020)"
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 1, 2021

Nelson's heart is in the right place, but the Vikings already have Alexander Mattison ready to serve as RB1 in Cook's place moving forward. Besides, Peterson hardly impressed with Tennessee, gaining a paltry 82 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, good for an average of 3.0 yards per attempt. The 36-year-old also isn't offering much, if anything, as a pass-catching option, run-blocker or on special teams.

Peterson's return to Minnesota could've made for a nice homecoming story this holiday season, but it would've made little sense as it pertains to on-the-field production and need.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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