Vikings' Peterson says he will play Sunday against Colts

FILE - In this Sept. 18, 2016, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, in Minneapolis. Peterson is returning to practice this week for the Vik

Andy Clayton-King, File

December 16, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Adrian Peterson has always called himself a quick healer. Now he says he's ready to come back from his latest knee surgery even sooner than he originally thought.

Peterson told Dash Radio on Friday that he plans to return to the Minnesota Vikings backfield on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. His surprise announcement comes four days after he reiterated that he was targeting the game against Green Bay on Dec. 24 asand you're playing the actual game of football.''

Peterson said he spoke to coach Mike Zimmer, head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman and his wife as he contemplated making the return one week sooner than he initially expected.

''We just have to make sure everything is good with the doctors and everything going forward, that's all,'' Zimmer said after practice on Friday.

According to Peterson, the wait is over.

In the end, he said he couldn't imagine sitting out one more week, watching the Vikings (7-6) lose and possibly be eliminated from the postseason race without him on the field. Peterson said he didn't expect the Vikings would lose to the Colts (6-7) at home without him, but he wanted to make sure he was out there to help a team that believes