Peterson practicing, determined to return to FedEx Field

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.

"I've not seen the entire game, but I've seen that play," Peterson said. "It's not something I just Googled. But I've ran across it a couple of times and I don't like seeing it."

Nor does anyone else whose knees aren't supposed to bend sideways.

Asked if he's looking for some personal revenge on Sunday, Peterson said, "Maybe a little bit. But nothing that's overwhelming, or that's really that personal."

Other items from the portion of practice that was open to reporters today:

• Defensive end Everson Griffen was not at practice. We'll be getting more information from Frazier after practice ends.
• Safety Mistral Raymond (ankle) did not practice and will miss his third straight game on Sunday.
• Wide receiver Jerome Simpson (leg/back) was practicing but appeared to pull up on a drill toward the end of the open session. Frazier will provide an update after practice.
• Defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who missed Wednesday's practice because of a stomach virus, returned to practice today.