JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - Vikings coach Brad Childress benched Adrian Peterson for the first two series of Sunday's 30-12 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars because the star running back was late to a team meeting Saturday.

Chester Taylor started in place of Peterson, who entered the game on the third series and promptly ran for 21 yards on his first carry. It was the second time in Peterson's brief career that he did not start a game because of disciplinary reasons.

Peterson missed the opening series against Denver last season after being late to the team bus. Peterson said he accepted Childress' decision Sunday and was not upset.

"I fully understand it and accept it," he said. "That's one thing I know about our coach: There's no prima donnas. Whatever the situation is, no matter the extent of it, you just have to accept the consequences.

"It really wasn't anything big, but I respect his decision."

Childress also benched cornerback Cedric Griffin, who was late for the same meeting.

Childress said he met with his leadership committee to discuss the punishment and "they were all unanimous."

"Everybody else is accountable, they're accountable as well," Childress said.

"We don't have a lot of rules," he added. "You set your fenceposts deep, and there are rules that are nonnegotiable.

"It doesn't matter who it is. It's affected different people, good players, at different times. I don't care if it's a guy who is a practice squad guy or a guy who is, as you say, the best player on the team."

Peterson finished with 80 yards rushing and a touchdown on 17 carries despite also battling a cold. The Jaguars made him earn every yard.

After that initial run, Peterson had five carries for just 11 yards in the first half. He credited Jacksonville's defense, which swarmed to the ball in numbers and didn't allow Peterson any daylight.

"Those guys fought the whole game," he said. "That's why I respect those guys, especially that linebacker crew. But when you keep pounding those guys, eventually they will wear down."

Childress said that he intends to use Taylor more in the final five games to prevent Peterson from wearing down. Childress gave Peterson a rest day on Thursday, which Peterson said "made a big difference."

"My body feels pretty good," he said.

Even so, Peterson said he doesn't mind sharing the ball with Taylor, who rushed for 25 yards and one touchdown on nine carries and again was on the field for third-down situations.

"I'm OK with that," Peterson said. "Whatever it takes to get that win, I'm going home with a smile on my face."

Peterson was able to smile after scoring on a 16-yard touchdown run to ice the game in the fourth quarter. Fullback Naufahu Tahi set up the touchdown with a huge block.

"It was wide open," Peterson said. "[Tahi] cleared it out for me. I could have run backward to the end zone."