Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson fine with change in role

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes against the Chicago Bears for 5 yards in the first quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson is used to taking a beating, especially last season when he had to play with several different quarterbacks and an offense the lost wide receiver Percy Harvin.

In 2014 with new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, Peterson doesn’t expect as many carries.

“My rushing yards might not be up to par, but it’s not about that,” Peterson told Tom Pelissero of The USA Today. “It’s all about winning. I’m trying to win a championship, so if that (means) taking less of a pounding and being more productive in the pass game, I’m all-in for it.”

Turner explained his rationale.

“I keep trying to create more space so when (Peterson) breaks one from the line of scrimmage there aren’t two guys waiting for him,” Turner told USA TODAY Sports. “And that’s easier said than done, because to do that, we’ve got to get our wideouts involved. We’ve got to get the tight ends making plays where the linebackers are concerned about something more than just the run.”

Peterson played in 14 games in 2013 and rushed for 1,266 yards and 10 touchdowns on 279 attempts.

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Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson fine with change in role

By Andrew Melnick | May 1, 2014