Vikings notes: Peterson practices, could play in preseason

MANKATO – Adrian Peterson made one cut and accelerated up the field, speeding past white and purple practice jerseys before jamming a playful stiff arm into Xavier Rhodes' facemask.

The Vikings' most valuable offensive player practiced Wednesday for the first time this training camp, easing into August after tweaking a hamstring during an offseason workout.

"There's nothing like football," Peterson said. "So being out there and really cutting, moving and seeing what you can do."

Peterson, 31, has kept open the idea of playing in the preseason at the direction of coach Mike Zimmer, who openly questioned last year whether he should've given the former NFL MVP a couple of exhibition carries when the offense sputtered out of the gate. Peterson would go on to claim his third rushing title in 2015 after a pivot in approach that saw fewer carries out of shotgun formations.

He hasn't taken a preseason carry in five years.

"Obviously I'm not playing in the first preseason game," Peterson said. "We'll see what happens; who knows?"

There is another way Vikings coaches could get a gamelike evaluation of Peterson in controlled situations. Next week, the Vikings break Mankato camp early to hold consecutive joint practices with the Cincinnati Bengals before the Aug. 12 preseason opener.

Peterson didn't sound too bullish on the idea of playing in the preseason, echoing Zimmer in saying shared practices in Cincinnati could do the trick.

"They don't know what you're doing; it's not like going against your own defense," Peterson said. "And the competition is up, so with that — being able to kind of get a feel for what it is to be in a preseason game."

Wilfs' father dies

Joseph Wilf, father of Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, died Wednesday at age 91.

Zygi and Mark Wilf missed the groundbreaking at the Vikings practice facility in Eagan on Tuesday to be with their father at his home in Hillside, N.J.

Joseph Wilf was a Holocaust survivor who was born in Poland and imprisoned at a Siberian labor camp during World War II. He and his wife, Suzie, immigrated to the United States in 1950. Joseph Wilf and his brother, Harry, founded Garden State Homes in 1954. That real estate development company is now one of the largest in America.

Robinson improving

A safe bet is at least one backup linebacker will be called upon to start this season.

The Vikings haven't had a linebacker start 16 games since Chad Greenway played through a fractured wrist in 2013. They have started at least five different linebackers in each of Zimmer's two seasons, including a rookie Edmond Robinson twice last year as Anthony Barr nursed multiple ailments.

Entering his second NFL season, Robinson is stating a case in training camp to be a top backup again, as he has stood out to Zimmer at the strongside linebacker role.

"He has come an awful long way, and he keeps getting better every day," Zimmer said. "I think he has a chance to be a really good linebacker someday."

Praise for Kalil

During some down time, Zimmer reviewed the offensive line's work during the start of camp and maintained his optimism regarding left tackle Matt Kalil.

Kalil is entering a pivotal season in the final year of his contract.

"I've been much impressed with a lot of the things that Matt is doing," Zimmer said. "When he sets right, he's very good in pass protection. Right now, about 75 percent of the time, he's right in his sets."