Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and Adrian Peterson have talked about the perennial All-Pro running back's preseason playing time and have essentially decided what any one of the rest of us schlubs would have.

"I really don't see the need," Zimmer said after practice today.

Zimmer didn't rule it out, but don't expect Peterson to play Saturday at Kansas City or the following Thursday at Tennessee.

"I doubt it," Zimmer said. "Adrian and I have talked about it a little bit and I really don't see the need. We're grabbing at the ball pretty good. We're not tackling him or anything. He's doing a great job with the protections and the routes and obviously he runs really good.

"The only concern you have is he might not have been hit enough. But our guys are grabbing at the ball a lot. They're punching at the ball as he's running in there. I talked to him about those things."

In other news:

  • Defensive end Brian Robison missed his second practice to tend to a personal issue. But Robison rejoined the team this afternoon and will play on Saturday, Zimmer said
  • Cornerback Josh Robinson (hamstring) returned to practice today. His status for Saturday will be determined later this week.
  • Cornerback Shaun Prater (head injury) was cleared and returned to practice today.
  • Receiver Jerome Simpson, who missed yesterday's practice to attend a meeting at league headquarters concerning his possible suspension, also practiced.
  • Not practicing today because of injuries were cornerback Jabari Price, linebacker Gerald Hodges and linebacker Brandon Watts.
  • Zimmer was asked if the lawsuit settlement with former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe brought a sense of closure in his mind to the situation involving special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. Priefer will serve a three-game suspension — which can be reduced to two games with sensitivity training — because of an anti-gay remark he made to Kluwe in a team setting in 2012. "I honestly have not thought about it very much," Zimmer said. "I felt like Mike Priefer is a good person and a good coach and a good guy. That's just how I felt the entire time. So whatever happened legally with the courts and all the other stuff, I'm just a football coach."
  • Zimmer was asked what his comfort level would be with keeping two quarterbacks. His response: "I don't see us going with two quarterbacks, if that's what you're asking."