MANKATO — For the first time since 2006, the Vikings will hold training camp without Adrian Peterson.

The star running back was not brought back after 10 seasons and signed as a free agent with New Orleans. Candidates are lining up to replace Peterson, although they’re not exactly thinking of it in those terms.

“To be honest, I don’t think anybody is looking at it in that way,’’ Latavius Murray said Sunday. “We obviously know that guy was great in that uniform, but I think for everybody in the running back room right now it’s about the individual. For me, I want to be the best player I can be, and I want to be taking snaps and be the No. 1 back.’’

Murray reported to camp at Minnesota State, Mankato along with Vikings rookies, players who have not accrued a year of experience, select quarterbacks and select players coming off injury. Murray, who spent the past four seasons with Oakland before signing a three-year, $15 million deal with Minnesota as a free agent, was eligible because he missed all of spring drills following March 22 surgery on his right ankle.

Murray and rookie Dalvin Cook are regarded as the top candidates to replace Peterson, the Vikings’ all-time leading rusher. Holdover Jerick McKinnon, who will report Wednesday along with other Minnesota veterans and take the field Thursday, has an outside chance to start.

“He is a future hall of famer,’’ Cook said when asked about comparing himself to Peterson. “This is my first year in the NFL. I am not as close to him, so I cannot compare myself to him at all because he is going to go down as one of the greatest backs in history probably. So I just have to go out there and work and I cannot have that in my head.’’

Cook, taken in the second round out of Florida State, looked good during spring drills. Monday, when about 40 players will practice, could mark the first time he’s on the field competing with Murray.

Murray said his his “health is really good’’ and the “progress is coming along.’’ He’s not sure, though, what he might be allowed to do in his first workout.

“I still have to get with Coach (Mike Zimmer) and the training staff to see what they’re going to have me do,’’ Murray said.

Zimmer didn’t offer any clues Sunday afternoon.

“I don’t know yet,’’ he said. “We haven’t seen him to see (athletic trainer Eric) Sugarman yet. We’ll see how it goes.’’

Whenever Murray and Cook are on the field together, Cook said, “We are going to push each other,’’

When Murray reported to camp, Zimmer gave him a big hug.

“All (of Minnesota’s running backs) will add to some of the depth,’’ Zimmer said. “Part of it is us figuring out the roles for each of those guys. For the young running backs, pass protection is always the No. 1 thing. … So that’ll be a good test for Dalvin.

“Latavius has done that a lot in the past. I don’t anticipate that being an issue. Jerick had a chance to do quite a bit of it last year. I feel good about the running back spot.’’ Related Articles Despite veteran lineup, Vikings’ offense has been horrendous

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For now, Murray and Cook are excited to be taking part in their first Vikings training camp. Both were greeted warmly Sunday by several dozen autograph seekers.

“I am feeling the love,’’ Cook said. “It feels great to be back out here and I am ready to play some football. … I am ready to come help this organization win football games, and that is the main goal of why they drafted me here.’’

Murray is happy to have a three-day jump on veterans considering all the time he has missed because of his injury.

“I want to learn (the playbook) as much as I can, inside and out, so when I’m back on the field, I’m able to play fast,’’ Murray said.