Why Adrian Peterson and the Vikings Must Be Cautious with Recovery

Adrian Peterson is a freak of nature, a one-of-a-kind athlete capable of runs synonymous with both thunder and lightning. 

If anyone can make a full recovery from a completely blown knee in less than eight months, it's him.

At the age of 27, Peterson, one of the NFL's most intimidating and special physical specimens, has stunned doctors and trainers with the speed in which he's gone through his rehabilitation process. 

On August 12, he was taken off the PUP list, and the All-Pro running back practiced with the Vikings, according to Judd Zulgad of ESPN 1500 Twin Cities.

"

Vikings walk through has started and Peterson is working with team. Assume that means he is off the PUP.

— Judd Zulgad (@1500ESPNJudd) August 12, 2012"

In a recent column, Zulgad even went as far to say this: "It would not be surprising if Peterson saw limited action and took contact on the knee for the first time in the Vikings' third preseason game on Aug. 24 against San Diego at the Metrodome."

While AP's amazing seven-month recovery is certainly encouraging for Vikings fans, head coach Leslie Frazier must employ every precautionary measure when dealing with Peterson's return. 

Even if Minnesota's franchise runner feels 100 percent and is cleared by doctors, Frazier's patience must be unwavering. 

Just because Peterson was seemingly quick to heal doesn't mean his coaches should be quick to put him back on the field.

There's no guaranteed way to safeguard against injuries, but every preventive procedure must be implemented with Peterson. 

He has always run high and usually delivers the contact on opposing defenders if he can't elude them with tremendous speed and shiftiness. No one's ever doubted Peterson's talent and sheer potential, yet everyone realizes his running style heightens the chance of injuries, especially to his lower body. 

If there's a re-aggravation of his surgically-repaired knee, the consequences could be career threatening for Peterson and organizationally-altering for the Vikings.

Certainly, giving Peterson a few touches in the preseason to acclimate himself to the contact that'll be sure to come in the regular season isn't a horrible idea. But even when the games do count, the load should be lightened, at least in September and into October. 

With the ball in his hands, Peterson won't hold back and will likely run ferociously with as much reckless abandon as he has in the past. 

That's why the Vikings' coaching staff must pull in the reins a bit on their workhorse runner at the start of the 2012 season. 

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