Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said Wednesday that he believes Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose could return at an MVP level, much as Peterson did after suffering a similar ACL tear.

"I think so," Peterson said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "This is just me making that assumption based off the type of athlete I see.

"I feel like genetically he was blessed. A lot of people heal different. I feel he's one of those guys if you look at his body structure, he'll be able to heal fast and muscle memory will come back rather quickly, more (quickly) than the normal person. I feel like if he's attacking this last month and pushing himself and having that confidence, that's what it's all about. I feel like he'll be back to his old self, if not better than before."

Rose tore his left ACL on April 28 and underwent surgery on May 12. He recently has taken the next step in his rehab, which was taking full contact in practice. There's no return date for the former MVP, but many believe he won't return until after the Feb. 17 All-Star Game.

Bulls fans are hoping for the same type of return Peterson enjoyed as he led the league in rushing and came nine yards short of the single-season rushing record.

"This last phase that he's going through, just tell him just to trust, just have confidence, and not be timid when he's out there doing his different drills to get himself back to where he was before," Peterson said. "I think that was the most important thing for me is mentally trusting that around this time (of his own rehab) that the ligament, the structure of the ligament is strong, and is durable.

"So when you're out there and doing cutting drills and jumping and running and you're making sudden stops, it's really good being confident in it and really doing it to the max to go ahead and test it out to get it back strong and back used to doing those movements."

Rose spent about 20 minutes after practice Wednesday taking extra shots with assistant coach Ed Pinckney. The lift that had been missing from his jumper appears to be returning.

"He's doing fine," Thibodeau said. "Just another day. He's taking contact. He's doing well."