Adrian Peterson returned from major knee surgery in less than a year, so sports hernia surgery should be no problem for the NFL's MVP, right?
Exactly, according to Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. Spielman told reporters Thursday at the Scouting Combine that Peterson is expected to be ready when Minnesota starts its offseason program later this offseason.
"He'll be ready," Spielman said, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "He's pretty good right now. You think Adrian wouldn't be good yet?"
Peterson was named the league's MVP after a season in which he ran for 2,097 yards, the second-highest single-season total in league history less than a year removed from anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament surgery in December 2011. Peterson had sports hernia surgery earlier this month after he was bothered by abdominal pain late in the season.
Spielman told reporters that center John Sullivan, who had microfracture knee surgery, and defensive end Jared Allen, who had surgery on his left shoulder, likely won't be ready for the team's offseason program. But the rehab for Sullivan and Allen isn't expected to linger into next season.
Minnesota is also waiting to see how receiver Greg Childs, a fourth-round pick last year, continues in his recovery from tearing the patellar tendons in both knees in training camp last season.
"We'll see how he's progressing," Spielman said. "He's working extremely hard. It's like a month-to-month thing, where he's coming. That will be yet to be determined."
Vikings won't cut for cap room: According to the Pioneer Press, Spielman also told reporters that Minnesota isn't planning on cutting any of its veteran players to clear cap room.
I don't anticipate anything happening at this point," Spielman said. "Now, as we get through and get closer to that new league year, we'll see where that evolves. So I'm not going to ever say we're not going to do anything. We may. I don't know yet. We'll see how things progress."
Spielman will be in talks with agents for the Vikings' unrestricted free agents while at the Combine. He has refused to discuss contract situations with the team's players, including whether the Vikings will approach any veterans about restructuring their contracts. Allen is currently slated to cost more than $17 million against the team's cap next season. Defensive tackle Kevin Williams counts for $7.5 million against the cap and Antoine Winfield is due $7.25 million.
Minnesota reportedly has more than $12 million in cap room.
Five of the team's six highest-paid players are on defense. Of players currently signed into next season, the defense has five of the team's seven players who will be 30 or older when the season begins. Yet those players are considered important leaders for the Vikings.
Will Webb return? Spielman offered encouraging words regarding backup quarterback Joe Webb, despite Webb's poor play in the wild-card playoff game at Green Bay, where he was 11 of 30 for 180 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception in Minnesota's 24-10 loss.
"Just like any other position, we'll look into the UFA market at potential backups if there's anyone out there," Spielman said, according to 1500espn.com. "Joe did not play very well in that Green Bay game, and he'll admit to that. But I know he's done a pretty phenomenal job coming off the bench in previous games and has played very well."
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