Adrian Peterson is taking part at least on a limited basis in Thursday's practice and the Pro Bowl running back said he's hopeful that he can play Sunday night against the Eagles.
Peterson missed his first game since 2007 on Monday against Chicago because of a thigh contusion. Peterson suffered the injury when he bumped knees with Tarvaris Jackson on a handoff against the New York Giants.
Peterson was asked whether he should sit out another game and not risk further injury since the Vikings aren't playing for a playoff spot.
"That's not in my mind at all," he said. "It's been a rollercoaster season. It hasn't gone the way we planned. But I love to play this game. That's why I do what I do. I definitely don't think that way about it. If I can play, I'll definitely be out there on Sunday."
Peterson said he had hoped to play against the Bears but the injury was too severe to play.
"Yeah I think I always sort of brainwash myself," he said. "Just keep the positive energy. But in the back of my head, it was like, 'I don't know. I don't know.' I just kept trying to fight it. Got to Sunday and attempted to run on it and I couldn't do it."
Peterson said before Thursday's practice that he has not tried to run this week. He said he's still experiencing tightness in his thigh.
"It's nothing like a torn ligament or anything like that," he said. "I don't feel like I can do any further damage to it. It's basically just a quad. Muscles are just tight. Pushing it will probably help it stretch a little more. We have two games left and I'm trying to play in both of them."
