Vikings RB Adrian Peterson scores first TD since 2013
MINNEAPOLIS -- Crashing into the end zone on a 3-yard run, Adrian Peterson dropped to his knees and lifted his arms to the sky. It was a familiar post-touchdown pose from a running back whose frequent visits to the end zone had been on a hiatus of nearly two years.
Starting his 100th career game mere hours after the birth of his son, Peterson scored his first touchdown since Nov. 24, 2013, in the second quarter of the Minnesota Vikings' game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. It was only Peterson's sixth game since his last TD, but injuries at the end of 2013 and a 15-game absence after his indictment on child injury charges last season had served to keep Peterson out of the end zone since the Vikings' tie with the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 of the 2013 season.
He added another touchdown, scoring on a 43-yard run in the third quarter to tie Randy Moss for the second-most TDs in Vikings history. He finished the game with 126 yards on 20 carries in the Vikings' 31-14 victory.
"[The day] started off well," Peterson said. "My son was born early this morning, so that right there kind of put things in perspective. It was just like, 'Wow, this is what life is really about.' So coming in here today, having the support from my teammates and going out there having fun, there was only one way to end this today, and a victory was it."
Peterson joined teammates on the field about 75 minutes before Sunday's game. His wife, Ashley, gave birth to the couple's second son, Axyl Eugene Peterson, earlier in the morning. When Peterson talked to coach Mike Zimmer at 8:30 a.m., he wasn't sure if he'd be able to leave the hospital in time for the game. His son was born in the 9:00 hour, and Peterson was able to get through traffic in time for warmups.
"Seven pounds, three ounces and 22 inches. The funny thing is, he looks just like Adrian when he was born," Peterson said, referring to Adrian Jr., Peterson's other son with his wife. "I knew that I had to get here and get ready for the game. I was able to coordinate things, and it worked out."
Peterson ran for 134 yards last Sunday against the Lions but said he didn't feel completely back to normal, particularly on his 49-yard reception from Teddy Bridgewater. Peterson decelerated on his way out of bounds,admitting to wide receivers coach George Stewart afterward how tired he was at the end of the play.
"I was like, 'Coach, I'm not going to lie to you -- when I got the pass from Teddy, I was so tired,'" Peterson said. "He was like: 'Yeah, I know. That wasn't the Adrian Peterson I know. You would have cut back.'"
So on Tuesday this week, Peterson ran 18 sprints to get his lungs to open up. And on his 43-yard score Sunday, Peterson cut back to the middle of the field and covered the final 20 yards, high-stepping to the end zone.
"It's so funny, because as I'm running down the sideline, I see the guy that I'm pursuing," Peterson said. "I thought about what Coach Stew said -- 'the Adrian Peterson I know would have cut back.' I just cut back and was able to have a big play out of it."
