Vikings notes: Peterson expects to play

Adrian Peterson admitted Friday that he was not happy when Vikings coach Leslie Frazier informed him that he would be inactive against the Philadelphia Eagles last week.

Peterson was listed as questionable because of a right foot sprain, but he said he felt healthy enough to play.

Frazier admitted afterward that he and Peterson had a difficult conversation.

"Man, words can't even express it," Peterson said. "I was hot. I was devastated. I was looking forward to playing and being out there with the guys. I didn't get my way that day."

Why devastated in a season that, until that point, had produced only three wins?

"Because I was to the point where I felt like I was ready to go," he said. "I'm in game mode and then I find out that I'm not playing. No matter what I had to say, that's what it was. That's why it was tough. But fortunately, we got a win, so that kind of eased the pain a little bit."

Peterson is listed as questionable again for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, but he and Frazier expect a different outcome this time. Peterson said that his foot is making progress and that he did some work in practice Friday after resting the previous day.

"I'll be ready to roll."

In addition to his foot injury, Peterson also is still dealing with a groin injury that has bothered him the second half of the season.

"It's been affecting me, no doubt," he said. "It's kind of been a nagging injury, unfortunately. But I've just been trying to do what I can to rest it up and strengthen it and just to maintain it through the end of the season."

Despite his assortment of injuries — he dealt with hamstring tightness for about a month early in the season — Peterson hasn't given up on winning the NFL rushing title. He trails Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy by 122 yards with two games remaining.

"It's not over 200 yards so it's still in play," he said.

A season-ending foot injury to Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson's concussion symptoms have created an opportunity for Ford, who caught an important 37-yard pass on third down against the Eagles last week.

Ford will get more playing time Sunday with Carlson listed as doubtful after experiencing concussion symptoms this week.

"When we came out of training camp, we weren't even sure that [Ford] would make our football team," Frazier said, "and he ends up on our practice [squad] and now he's making big contributions to our team."

Ford has excellent size (6-6, 255 pounds) and looks like a natural receiver. He still needs to improve as a blocker, but Vikings coaches rave about his work ethic and attitude.

"He's just worked and worked and worked," offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said. "He's earned more playing time and continues to impress."

Rhodes did some running on the side during Friday's practice, but he's not ready to play.

Chris Cook will return after missing the Eagles game because of a knee injury.

Frazier did not announce who will start in Rhodes' place, but it will be either Marcus Sherels or Shaun Prater.