Adrian Peterson: Neck Is Healthy, Open to Return with Saints, Other NFL Teams

Adrian Peterson ended last season on injured reserve due to a neck injury, but now, the veteran running back is healthy and ready to play.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Peterson has been cleared to return to the field by doctors. Pelissero noted that the former NFL MVP is ready to join a team that is willing to give him a chance, including the New Orleans Saints.

After signing with New Orleans last offseason, Peterson's tenure in the Big Easy did not go as planned. He ran the ball just 27 times for 81 yards and did not find the end zone in four games. His ineffectiveness and the emergence of rookie Alvin Kamara led to a midseason trade to the Arizona Cardinals.

In six games in the desert, the former All-Pro back ran for 448 yards and two scores on 129 carries. His 3.5 yards per carry as a Cardinal was a slight upgrade from the 3.0 he registered as a Saint.

Peterson may not have had a great run in New Orleans, but he's not opposed to a reunion. Per Pelissero, the team was impressed with how the veteran helped Kamara as he transitioned to the league. Saints running back Mark Ingram was recently suspended four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

NFL Network's Steve Wyche reported Wednesday that New Orleans does not plan on signing a veteran running back to fill in for Ingram.

Peterson is just two seasons removed from running for 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, he has since suffered a serious knee injury and a neck injury over the last two years. Don't forget that he is also now 33 years old.

Between his age, recent injuries and his decline in play, Peterson will have to prove to teams that he still has something left in the tank. He has been posting workout videos on Instagram to prove he is in football shape, but he is still waiting for a team to call.