CINCINNATI – Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was a nonfactor on the field Sunday, but the reigning league MVP hopes his considerable clout makes a difference off the field when he approaches management with a request to give Leslie Frazier another year as head coach.
"I'm definitely not an individual that's looking for dramatic change like that," Peterson said after Sunday's 42-14 loss to the Bengals dropped the Vikings to 4-10-1 this season and 20-32-1 under Frazier. "It will hurt if he leaves."
Several Vikings players have come out in support of Frazier late this season. But Sunday's lopsided loss offsets any positive vibe Frazier created with a 48-30 upset of the Eagles the previous week.
Peterson tried to divert the blame, however, saying the loss was a matter of players not executing and turning the ball over four times.
"I'll try and say what I have to say [to management about Frazier], but there's a time and place for everything," Peterson said. "With the season getting ready to wrap up, that time is coming. I'm going to give my input and see what they have to say.
"Right now, let's just try and focus on finishing the season strong, and then that's when I'm sure things will get rolling. We'll see what's going to go down."
Peterson returned Sunday after missing the Eagles game because of a sprained right foot. But he clearly was affected by that and a groin strain that's been nagging him for weeks.
"Personally, I don't think he's healthy," Bengals safety George Iloka said when asked how it felt to hold Peterson to 45 yards rushing on 11 carries. "He didn't seem like himself out there."
