Adrian Peterson hasn’t run the ball in a preseason game since 2011. He would like to change that this summer.

The Vikings have been careful not to risk their star running back getting hurt in exhibition play since he suffered a serious knee injury in December 2011. Peterson, though, believes the time might be right for some game action in August.

“I feel like getting out there and playing a little bit,” Peterson said in a phone interview. “It’s something that once that time comes around, I’ll have a better feel for, like, ‘Hey, I need to get out there just to kind of get the legs moving and get the pads (on) a little bit.’ I can tell you, though, I’m definitely more itching towards playing a little more in the preseason than I have the past seven, eight years.”

Peterson, 31, did not play at all in preseason games in 2012, 2014 and 2015. He lined up in the backfield for a few plays in one 2013 game, but didn’t carry the ball.

Peterson missed the final 15 games of 2014 because of a child-abuse incident. After not playing in the preseason, he looked rusty in last year’s regular-season opener, carrying 10 times for 31 yards in a 20-3 loss at San Francisco.

“Well, to be honest with you, I think in last year’s case, after sitting out a year, it would have helped a little bit (playing in the preseason),” Peterson said. “But I think like (10) carries against San Francisco, that’s not going to allow your best player to get off to a great start anyway. … I am calling for (playing in the 2016 preseason).”

Peterson, who has been working out near his home in the Houston area, hasn’t been with the Vikings since they began voluntary spring workouts April 18. He said he might join them May 24 for the first of three sessions of organized team activities.

“I’m thinking about coming back down then,” Peterson said. “I don’t know for sure. I’ll have to talk to coach (Mike) Zimmer and see what his thoughts are about my plans. But there’s a chance.”

Peterson missed the first session of OTAs last year when there were questions about whether he wanted to return to the Vikings following his absence. He did show up for the final two sessions and for the mandatory mini-camp in June, and all went fine.

When Peterson arrives, he will meet Moritz Boehringer, a German receiver taken by Minnesota in the sixth round of last week’s draft. Boehringer knew little about football until he watched YouTube videos of Peterson in 2011, leading him to become a Vikings fan and take up the sport.

“I was watching NFL Network and saw that he first started watching highlights of me and got into football, and I was, like, ‘Wow,’ ” Peterson said. “It was just one of those moments where you realize the things you’ve displayed. Now look at him. He has the opportunity to not only play, but to be my teammate. That’s pretty spectacular. It just makes me sit back and feel grateful.”

Boehringer said he will be prepared for his first meeting with Peterson and the running back’s well-known “very strong handshake.” Peterson laughed about that, saying he would offer Boehringer his best grip because “I can’t greet him any other way.”

Peterson liked the Vikings’ selection of Boehringer and plenty more moves the team made in the draft. He talked about receiver Laquon Treadwell, who dropped to the No. 23 pick in the first round because of concerns over his speed; cornerback Mackensie Alexander, taken in the second round; and offensive lineman Willie Beavers, who went in the fourth.

“I thought (general manager) Rick Spielman and those guys did a great job bringing in some great talent,” Peterson said. “You see the look on (Treadwell’s) face, I can tell that he’s coming in hungry, with a chip on his shoulder, with something to prove.

“I also like the cornerback we got from Clemson,” he said of Alexander. “I look at his attitude and just seeing him talk about the game and his knowledge of the game, and he’s coming in as a rookie, based on what I’ve seen in his interviews, way ahead of the curve for a normal cornerback coming into the game. The tackle we got, I’m pretty excited to see what he’s going to do as well.”

Peterson also is excited about a pair of free-agent offensive linemen the Vikings signed in March: guard Alex Boone and tackle Andre Smith, who should help protect quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and open holes for Peterson.

“Of course, they were good moves that we made bringing in those guys,” Peterson said. “They’re going to be important for our overall success this year. … I’m just excited to see once we really get rolling how the offense will unfold.”

It remains to be seen when Peterson’s first carries will come behind a retooled offensive line, but there is one game he definitely is thinking about. That’s when the Vikings open their regular-season home schedule Sept. 18 against the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.

“That’s going to be amazing,” Peterson said. “I’m looking forward to that game, first game at your new stadium, at home, Sunday night, against Green Bay. You can’t write a script better than that one.”

ROOKIE CAMP

The Vikings are hopeful of having all eight of their draftees signed before the start of Friday’s three-day rookie minicamp.

Minnesota signed Boehringer on Monday while Alexander, tight end David Morgan (sixth-round pick), defensive end Stephen Weatherly (seventh) and safety Jayron Kearse (seventh) agreed to terms Wednesday. The other draftees are Treadwell, Beavers and linebacker Kentrell Brothers (fifth).

Boehringer said earlier in the week he needed a work visa granted to be able to participate in the minicamp. He was optimistic Thursday night about being on the field Friday.