Vikings: Peterson healing well, on track to play

Running back Adrian Peterson cleared another hurdle in his quest to return from a partially torn lateral collateral ligament Monday when he underwent an MRI that showed "excellent healing," according to coach Brad Childress.

Peterson, who has missed the past two games, will practice this week and, if all goes well, will return Sunday against Detroit.

"He'll have to do all of the things he needs to during practice to prepare himself for this week," Childress said.

Peterson was not available to comment Monday but he seemed optimistic Sunday about his progress as he left Giants Stadium following the Vikings' 41-17 victory. Peterson, who had done limited work in practice last week, warmed up beforehand as the Vikings medical staff considered whether to clear him to play.

Peterson, who has been fitted with a brace for his knee, remains the NFL's leading rusher with 1,081 yards. He had assumed the starting role before being injured Nov. 11 at Green Bay but Childress made it clear Peterson will be eased back into the lineup.

The Vikings have that luxury because of the presence of veteran Chester Taylor, who has rushed for 545 yards on 114 carries and has 241 yards on 53 attempts and four touchdowns in victories over Oakland and the Giants the past two weeks.

"You're not going to go back there and turn over the whole load to him," Childress said of Peterson. "Those guys have been good playing off of each other. There are conditioning factors involved, there are fatiguing factors involved when you get involved in playing a 65- or 70-play game. We'll have a pulse on how he practices and who gets what."

Asked about the risk factor of letting Peterson play even if the doctors clear him, Childress said: "It would be kind of like me worrying about, 'Jeez, the guy broke his collarbone, do I run him in here on this inside drill? I am afraid he is going to break his collarbone.' Then you would never do anything and the fact is that these guys are competitors.

"We don't put them out there unless they can defend themselves. It's what they do and there is a risk in every single one of those guys that take the field. ... I think I mentioned before, he is symptom-free here for the last seven to 10 days and his function out here on the football field and what he has to do as a running back, you can see it readily. The next step is for him to get into practice and get knocked around."

Etc.

• Safety Tank Williams and receiver Troy Williamson underwent tests after being injured against the Giants. Williams has a mild MCL sprain and will be evaluated throughout the week. Williamson passed his exams for a head injury and, "should be OK," Childress said. Cornerback Antoine Winfield, who has missed three of the past four games because of a hamstring injury, is day-to-day.

• As of Monday morning, the Vikings had about 3,600 tickets left for Sunday's game. Those must be sold by noon Thursday in order for the game to be televised locally. The Vikings have needed corporate assistance on three occasions this season to avoid a blackout. All three times the station airing the game has stepped up to buy all or part of the tickets.

• Linebacker Heath Farwell tied the Vikings' single-game record Sunday with six special teams tackles. The mark was set by Wymon Henderson on Nov. 6, 1988, against Detroit.

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com