EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- With Adrian Peterson the only no-show for the Minnesota Vikings' first round of organized team activities, the team made its strongest statement yet regarding its disgruntled running back.
Head coach Mike Zimmer made it clear: Peterson will play for the Vikings or no one else.
"It's really not my place to figure out what he's not saying publicly or saying publicly or what anybody else is saying," Zimmer said Wednesday. "It's more about really about the guys that are here. He's really got two choices. He can either play for us or he can not play. He's not going to play for anybody else, and that's just the way it's going to be."
Peterson's displeasure with the team brings added significance to his absence this year for voluntary workouts he's skipped in the past. Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, has insisted Peterson doesn't feel it's in his best interests to play for Minnesota, despite being under contract for $12.75 million this season.
Dogra has tried to get the Vikings to trade Peterson, but the team has remained firm in its stance that Peterson won't be traded.
Peterson, 30, apparently is upset because he feels he wasn't supported enough by the organization as he went through child-abuse charges last year. Peterson missed all but one game last season as he dealt with the legal situation from injuring his 4-year-old son while disciplining the boy with a wooden switch.
The franchise's all-time leading rusher, Peterson had 21 carries for 75 yards in the season opener last year before missing the rest of the season.
"I don't know what it's like to be on the field at the same time as Adrian because I wasn't the starter; I wasn't in the starting role then," quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said when asked about practicing without Peterson. "I can't even speak on what it's like to play with him. But I know that the guys around here have nothing but great things to say about him."
Zimmer said he wasn't concerned about Peterson's absence, in part because he's missed similar OTAs during his career. The coach then said reports that Peterson told Zimmer he wouldn't show up were false.
"I know there's a lot of things that are out there," Zimmer said. "I don't know when he's coming, and we'll just leave it at that."
Zimmer said the two have spoken since Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman made a March visit to Peterson's home near Houston, but haven't spoken recently. Zimmer wouldn't say whether Peterson's issues are contractual or otherwise.
In 2011, Peterson signed a six-year, $86.28 million extension with the Vikings, making him the league's highest-paid running back. Peterson is under contract for $12.75 million this season, but all of the guaranteed money has been paid to Peterson, who still has three seasons left on the contract.
Peterson is due a $250,000 workout bonus, which he won't receive by skipping OTAs. If Peterson misses Minnesota's mandatory minicamp next month, he can be fined by the team.
Meanwhile, his teammates continue work for the upcoming season unsure when, or whether, the 2012 MVP will join them.
"Adrian's got to do what he's got to do," left tackle Matt Kalil said. "Obviously we'd love to have him back. He's a great player. If he came back, I have no doubt he'd be the best running back in the league. But he's got to handle his stuff. I'm just focused on getting better and doing what I got to do."
Bridgewater is the unquestioned starter at quarterback and leader of the offense without Peterson. But Bridgewater hopes to have the former MVP in the backfield behind him when the season begins.
"We're going to accept Adrian with welcoming arms," Bridgewater said. "We know what he means to this team. He's done some great things in the community here. He's done some great things for this franchise and this organization. So we can't wait to have him."
Zimmer is waiting, and staying resolute, also.
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