AP

While Adrian Peterson may not want to play for the Minnesota Vikings any longer, the Vikings are making it clear they want him back.

That includes the players on the team as well.

Vikings center John Sullivan expressed his hope that Peterson returns to the team this season in an interview with Alex Marvez and Mark Dominik on Sirius XM NFL Radio Thursday night.

“We want him back. There is no doubt the players want him back,” Sullivan said. “He missed an entire season. He more than paid his dues with this whole thing. I respect him as a man. I don’t want to talk too much about it just because I don’t want to put too much conjecture out there but I just hope it works itself out and he comes back and joins us. We have open arms here waiting for him. We want to rush for the 2,500 yards that he talked about a couple of years ago.”

Head coach Mike Zimmer has also made it clear he anticipates Peterson to remain with the Vikings going forward.

Many aspects still need to be resolved before Peterson once again steps on a field in Vikings’ purple, but key veterans like Sullivan expressing a desire for Peterson to return could help smooth over some of the hurt feelings on both sides.