The past three Sundays, as the Vikings lined up to play, fullback Jerome Felton had to go home and watch on TV. He watched his teammates lose and the running game falter, believing the whole time that he could have helped make things better.
"You feel like you can help the team win," Felton said. "It was tough watching. But now I'm back."
Felton, whom Adrian Peterson claims was "worth about 600 to 700 yards … and maybe more" of his 2,097-yard MVP season in 2012, will be back after having served a three-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
With Felton watching, the Vikings have averaged 120.7 rushing yards per game and 4.2 yards per rush.
"It makes you appreciate the position you're in," Felton said of his suspension. "Appreciate your teammates, appreciate the organization for sticking behind me. So now I'll do my part on the field to help pick them up, too."
Rookie fullback Zach Line went on injured reserve to make room for Felton on the roster.
Felton missed much of the preseason because of an appendectomy, but he said he feels 100 percent. He also said it wouldn't take long to rediscover his chemistry with Peterson.
"We don't have time for it to take a couple weeks," Felton said. "I've got to hit the ground running. That's on me, and that's what I'll do. … Obviously it's not just me coming back that's going to make the running game do what it needs to do. But I definitely think I can help and contribute."