Zimmer Responds to Peterson’s Absence

Last September, Viking's running back Adrian Peterson was suspended from the league after allegedly physically abusing his child after playing just the season opener against the St. Louis Rams. Peterson did not play a game for the Vikings for the remainder of the season.

There seemed to be growing tension between the Vikings, and Peterson, though the Vikings assured fans that Peterson would remain in a Vikings uniform for the foreseeable future.

The Vikings front office and coaches have stayed consistent this off-season on there message that Peterson will be a Viking in 2015. Peterson, on the other hand, seems to have no intention to remain in Minnesota.

Peterson is reportedly dissatisfied because he does not believe the Vikings organization did enough to defend him when he was suspended last fall. Peterson has not yet attended a preseason OTA and if he continues to miss these voluntary workouts will be losing a $250K bonus.

On Tuesday, Viking's head coach Mike Zimmer responded to the questions on Peterson's absence in a press conference.

"Adrian really has two choices: play for us, or not play at all." Zimmer said.

Yet again another reassurance to Vikings fans that if Peterson is going to play this coming season, it will be in the purple and gold. Even at 30 years old, Adrian Peterson is considered a top three running back in the NFL. Having Peterson in the backfield makes the Vikings one of the more feared rushing offenses in the league. When playing in Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota, in the winter months, a powerful rushing game is a valuable tool to have.