Running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice today, determined not to let a sprained ankle keep him from making an emotional return to Washington's FedEx Field on Sunday.
"My ankle, I wouldn't say it's a concern, but I definitely want to get back to feeling good," said Peterson, who missed Wednesday's practice. "But I don't think it's going to hinder me being able to play and push through. I've pushed through worse ankle injuries than the one I have."
Peterson admits Sunday's game will be "a little bit" emotional for him because it's his first trip back since last Christmas eve, when he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on a hit from Redskins safety DeJon Gomes.
"Of course, it pops in your mind," he said. "But outside of that, we're just focusing on executing as an offense, as a whole, all three phases and coming out with a win."
Asked if he'd like to run over Gomes, Peterson smiled. Gomes, a rookie last season, began the season as a starter but was replaced in the staring lineup in Week 4 by Reed Doughty.
"Of course, of course," Peterson said. "I'll make sure I have my shoulders low. He might be trying to go for my ankles. I'm just going to go out and play ball and try to have fun."
Coach Leslie Frazier described the ankle sprain as "minor" on Monday. Today, Peterson said, "I got it twisted up pretty bad" and added that he's trying to, "get some rest on it and let it recover and try to get the strength back. I didn't really experience much swelling. I feel I'm taking steps forward."
Peterson has seen the gruesome Gomes hit a few times since last December.
