GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Given his first chance to expound on the frustration he expressed about getting only eight carries on Sunday -- in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in which he took only three handoffs in the second half -- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said Tuesday his hunger for a larger workload was the "mindset of a player who wants to be great."

“You want to be able, when your number is called, to make plays,” Peterson said. “Of course, I’d be frustrated when you think about eight carries. But we’re focusing now on Arizona and trying to get this thing back on the right track.”

Adrian Peterson is averaging a whopping 7.94 yards per carry in the fourth quarter this season. AP Photo/David Goldman

The Vikings have won this year when they've encountered game situations that facilitate Peterson getting lots of carries, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them show a little more commitment to Peterson on Thursday night, even if they get down by a score or two. Peterson has proved the payoff of that approach this season with his success in the fourth quarter -- which is the greatest of his career and owes something to the fact the running back didn't play last season.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Peterson is averaging 7.94 yards per carry in the fourth quarter this season, which is the highest average of his career by a staggering 1.49 yards. Peterson has found plenty of room to run in the fourth, largely in games where the Vikings have been able to put their power running sets in front of him and move defenders out of the way. He's averaging 4.36 yards before contact in the fourth quarter this year. But he's also posting a 3.57-yards-per-carry average after contact, thanks to some of the big runs he's been able to break as defenses are wearing down.

Peterson was tackled only 21 times last season before missing 15 games in the wake of his indictment on child-injury charges. He has talked about how the time off gave him more time to ramp up his already-grueling workout sessions, and after the running back spent much of 2013 nursing hamstring, groin and foot injuries, it's worth noting how little time the ninth-year back has spent on the injury report. He has been listed on it only three times, missing two practices this season and being limited in just four others.

"Any time you can take away 425 hits on your body, it's going to be good -- especially for a 30-year-old back, as they say," said Peterson, taking a playful jab at those who wondered (present company included) how productive he would be at age 30. "It gave my body time to heal and recover. Mentally, and physically, it was good for my body."

It remains to be seen whether a fresher Peterson will get a bigger workload on Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals' fourth-ranked defense, especially if the Vikings' own depleted defense has trouble keeping the game close. But as the Vikings head into the final quarter of the season trying to hold on to a playoff spot, it helps to have their best player still feeling good enough to carry the offense if needed.

"We'll see how things present themselves this week, and we'll see what we do about it," Peterson said.