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Last year, the Vikings added defensive lineman Tom Johnson in free agency. He played only one game with running back Adrian Peterson, but Johnson continues to work out with Peterson in Houston.

“He’s one of the strongest guys pound for pound I’ve seen,” Johnson told Alex Marvez and Zig Fracassi of SiriusXM NFL Radio. “You see him put 500 pounds on a squat [rack] and just do it like it isn’t there. So I would definitely prefer him being on our team than on the opposing team.”

Johnson said Peterson physically looks great, and his demeanor sends a clear message.

“He looks like he’s hungry,” Johnson said. “I think he has something to prove because of situations that you’re the best player in the league and over situations you weren’t able to play the game that you love. So I think he definitely has a chip on his shoulder and he’s been taking it out on the weights.”

Johnson’s assessment meshes with what coach Mike Zimmer told PFT Live last month — that he expects Peterson to be in a foul mood when he returns to action in 2015. Regardless of Peterson’s role in his “situations,” Peterson believes he has been kept away from football far longer than he should have been.

When he gets back, Peterson apparently intends to make up for his absence. The only remaining question is whether he’ll be doing that for the Vikings or the Cardinals or someone else.