Adrian Peterson's Potential Return

The Minnesota Vikings need Adrian Peterson back - and they need him now.

After winning two straight games, they are 4-5 and very much alive in the playoff hunt. Minnesota has two huge showdowns against the Bears and Packers coming up, and the team still has four divisional contests to play in its final seven games.

The story of Adrian Peterson's 2014 campaign may just be beginning to unfold. 

AP has the opportunity to take the Vikings to the postseason and remind everyone that he – and not DeMarco Murray – is the best running back in the NFL. He has done it before in years past and he can do it again. Just two years ago he was the league MVP, falling just short of Eric Dickerson’s legendary rushing record.

This is one of the premier players in the league we’re talking about. While his absence has been discussed in the media, it is more about the situation involving him and not how it has impacted the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson has done so much for Minnesota and that cannot be forgotten. He has toted the rock over 2,000 times and scored over 85 touchdowns in his outstanding career. It has never been about him; it has always been about the team. He is one of the greatest Vikings ever and the team badly needs him on the field.  

Adrian Peterson is the third-fastest player to ever reach 10,000 yards rushing.

The NFLPA is demanding his reinstatement, and the Vikings said this today: "In regards to Adrian Peterson's status with the Minnesota Vikings, at this time his potential reinstatement is under NFL guidelines. As an organization, we respect and understand the league's process. In the interim, our focus is on the team and preparing for this weekend's game against the Bears."

We all know the Vikings had to say that, given the recent destruction of the images of the Ravens and the NFL in dealing with Ray Rice's off-the-field issues. And we all know the players and coaches want to see him back. We all want to see him back. We are probably about to.