Running back Toby Gerhart had a slow start to training camp and his rookie season, but his role has expanded the past two weeks after getting minimal playing time early in the season.

Gerhart had a season-high five carries for 24 yards against Green Bay two weeks ago. He played in numerous third-down situations last Sunday at New England and caught five passes for 67 yards.

"I tell Toby all the time, 'Hey, make sure you know exactly what you're doing and when you're out there you're taking advantage of those opportunities because we're going into the second stretch and we're going to need you,' " Adrian Peterson said. "I feel like he has taken that challenge." That said, Peterson reiterated that he doesn't like the leave the field for any reason other than needing a breather. "That's just my competitive nature," he said. "I want to be on the field at all times. When the game is on the line, I want to be on the field. Every third down, I want to be on the field. That's just the mentality I play with and I feel that's what makes me the type of player that I am." Peterson said he's made his feelings known to the coaching staff, although he understands Gerhart needs to help shoulder the workload and also is the running back in certain personnel packages. "They know," Peterson said. "I also know that there are different schemes and different looks that call for Toby to be out there and things like that too. As long as they know that, 'Hey, I want to be out there on every play to help this team win.' That's the mentality that I'm carrying, then they know where my eyes are and that's the same goal their eyes are focused on too."