Two years ago, Latavius Murray rushed for 1,026 yards for Oakland and made the Pro Bowl. He claims to be a better player now.

Murray got off to a slow start in his first season with the Vikings, but there have been few complaints about his play lately. Over the past five games, Murray has rushed for 399 of his 496 yards on the season, including 179 in the past two games.

“I think so,’’ Murray said Wednesday about being better than in 2015. “I think I’m continuing to get better each year. Each year I’ve been in the league, that’s my goal has been to try to get better even if it’s just a little bit, and I think I’ve been able to do that.’’

Murray, 27, said a key to his improvement has been in the mental part of the game.

“I think I’m getting smarter the older I get,’’ said Murray, averaging 3.8 yards per carry on the season. “I know as I get older, obviously my body gets older, and I think I just need to continue the mental part of it, and that allows me to go out and play fast.” Related Articles Vikings rookie Jeff Gladney knows he’s being picked on: ‘I’ve got to hold my own’

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After having surgery in March on his right ankle, Murray missed all of spring drills, the first two weeks of training camp and the first two preseason games. He gained just 97 yards on 41 carries in the first six regular-season games for a meager average of 2.4 per carry.

Murray wasn’t used much until rookie Dalvin Cook suffered a torn ACL in the third quarter against Detroit in Week 4. After Cook was hurt, Murray had just 59 yards in the next two games before breaking loose with 113 in Week 7 against Baltimore.

In the past two games, Murray has 95 yards against the Los Angeles Rams and 84 at Detroit.

“Latavius is running the ball well,’’ said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. “I think he is starting to feel a lot more healthy or comfortable, whatever it is. He’s continued to do a good job.’’

Murray shrugged off the notion his improvement is primarily due to improved health. He said his ankle is still not at 100 percent but that he is feeling much better and getting “back to normal.”

After his Pro Bowl season of 2015, Murray had ankle problems last year and rushed for just 788 yards with the Raiders. Murray, who signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Vikings last March, could end up surpassing that total this season despite his slow start.

“Trying just to stick to my routine with things that have been helping me get better, just trying to stay on top of it, regardless of whether I’m feeling good or not,’’ Murray said of his recent improvement. “Just keep doing it.’’

Murray has broken off long gains in each of the past two games, having a 34-yard run against the Rams and a 46-yard jaunt at Detroit. His recent play has helped open up the passing game for quarterback Case Keenum.

“He’s taken a handoff and he’s moving forward,’’ Keenum said. “It’s fun to hand the ball off to that. When he’s moving forward, he’s got all his momentum going forward, reading defenses and making good cuts.’’