"Right now I feel like I will be able to go out and play," said Peterson, who suffered a partially torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee Nov. 11 at Green Bay. "I am just going to continue to take it one day at a time and see how it feels during practice and after practice and I will have to be able to make that decision this weekend."

Peterson, who continues to lead the NFL in rushing with 1,081 yards, will wear a brace on his knee for the rest of the season. It has taken him some time to adjust to the brace, and coach Brad Childress said the rookie "fiddles" with it continuously in practice whenever there is a break.

"It really took me, I would say, like a good week just to really get used to (the brace)," said Peterson, who did limited work in practice on Wednesday and yesterday "It was kind of stiff at first but I really have worked into it. The brace is starting to mold over my leg and my knee so I am feeling more comfortable with it."

As for concerns that the Vikings might be moving too fast in bringing back Peterson, Childress said that not only did the rookie have a follow-up MRI with team doctors this week, but noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews also evaluated it again.