Adrian Peterson expected to play Sunday vs Carolina Panthers

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is expected to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

“I don’t think it will change,” an unnamed source close to the situation said. “There’s no doubt he’s going to play,” the source told Anderson. “It’s not going to happen where Adrian Peterson is not going to suit up for that game.”

Peterson’s 2-year old son died on Friday after allegedly being beaten to death by Joseph Patterson, age 27, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Peterson had indicated that he would play in statements made on Friday to reporters, but the announcement seems to be official now.

The reigning league MVP currently ranks second in the NFL with 421 rushing yards and leads the league with five touchdowns.

According to the report, team sources told Peterson to sleep on his decision to play on Friday, and apparently the decision will stand firm.

This brings about memories of the game Brett Favre played the day after his father died in 2003.  Favre passed for 339 yards in that game and threw for four touchdowns in the Green Bay Packers’ 41-7 win over the Oakland Raiders.

Whatever happens, one has to commend Peterson for remaining with the team and attempting to play.  This can’t be easy.