Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday that he does not expect running back Adrian Peterson to play in the preseason.

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday that he does not expect running back Adrian Peterson to play in the preseason.

“I probably don’t see that, no,” Zimmer told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “We’re talking in June, so you can’t hold me to it, but he’s carried the ball a lot (in his eight-year career) and he’s going to continue to carry the ball a lot. He’ll get plenty of looks and reps in practice.”

Zimmer added that he thinks Peterson has “looked good” in the team's off-season practices.

Peterson has not played in the preseason since 2011. His last game action came in Week 1 last season, before he was indicted on child abuse charges and missed the rest of the season.

There was much speculation this off-season as to whether Peterson would return to the Vikings in 2015. Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Pressreported last month Peterson was skipping Minnesota's organized team activities because he felt that some in the organization didn't support him during his suspension last season.

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Peterson did report to OTAs the following week and assured that there were no hard feelings between he and the team. Zimmer told reporters told reporters the team has welcomed Peterson back with “open arms.”

Peterson, 30, is under contract for three more seasons. He is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and led the NFL in rushing yards twice. Without Peterson last season, Matt Asiata led the Vikings with 570 yards while averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Peterson's career average is 5.0 yards per carry.

- Dan Gartland