MINNEAPOLIS – Adrian Peterson couldn’t make it back from a sprained foot in time to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Peterson, the league’s second-leading rusher, is out for the Minnesota Vikings’ home game Sunday against Philadelphia. Minnesota is also without backup Toby Gerhart because of a hamstring injury, so Matt Asiata will start for the Vikings (3-9-1) on Sunday.
Peterson had worked to try and return after spraining his foot at Baltimore last week when Ravens linebacker Arthur Brown fell on his foot trying to make a tackle. Peterson was in a walking boot early in the week and then progressed to pool work while missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He returned in a limited capacity on Friday.
Peterson entered the Metrodome about 90 minutes before Sunday’s game though, and soon after was declared officially inactive. The reigning MVP has 1,221 rushing yards this season, which is second to the back on the other side of the field Sunday in the Eagles’ LeSean McCoy, who has 1,305 rushing yards.
Asiata and fullback Jerome Felton could see carries. Minnesota also promoted Joe Banyard from the team’s practice squad to the active roster on Saturday and he’s active for the first time in his NFL career.
Philadelphia’s big-play offense will also see a short-handed Vikings’ secondary. Josh Robinson was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. Starting cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and Chris Cook were declared out Sunday.
Rhodes is dealing with a sprained ankle and Cook has a knee injury. Starting right guard Brandon Fusco (knee) and tight end John Carlson (concussion) are out for Minnesota too. Quarterback Josh Freeman is inactive again.
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