Adrian Peterson's "vision" continues to be that he will return to the Vikings backfield in time to rally the reeling team back into playoff position.
But if the Vikings are eliminated from contention before he is cleared by doctors? He said he wouldn't return this season "for obvious reasons."
In his first public comments since Sept. 22 surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, Peterson declined Wednesday to share the specific target date for his return. But he remains hopeful that the Vikings, who at 6-6 are eighth in the NFC, still will be in the playoff hunt whenever that may be.
"That's what I believe, and that's what I have my eyes on right now," he said.
Cleared to run again within the past two weeks, the 31-year-old says he is now able to "cut and do things like that." But he noted that it is a lot easier to juke air than it is to avoid actual defenders who are trying to tackle him.
"I'm doing things now that I can do to put me in position to be able to come back," the seven-time Pro Bowler said. "That's all I can control as of now."
Since getting hurt in the Week 2 victory over the Green Bay Packers and having surgery a few days later, Peterson and the Vikings had been hoping that he would be able to return to action in mid-to-late December. Peterson presumably will need to practice with the team before suiting up in a game.
The running back declined to say whether he is eyeing a return Week 15 against Indianapolis, Week 16 at Green Bay or Week 17 against Chicago.