MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was active on Sunday for Minnesota's game against the Carolina Panthers even though he missed significant practice time last week with a hamstring injury.

Coach Brad Childress had said the NFL's leading rusher would be a game-time decision, and he was not among the list of inactives distributed before the game.

His presence is a huge boost for the 0-2 Vikings' struggling offense, which failed to score a touchdown in an 18-15 loss to Indianapolis last week that resulted in the benching of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

Peterson said all along that he expected to play, but he did not practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday, which raised doubts about his status.

Receiver Sidney Rice (knee) was inactive for the Vikings, replaced in the starting lineup by Bobby Wade. Fullback Thomas Tapeh also was put on the shelf, replaced on the active roster and in the starting lineup by Naufahu Tahi.

For the Panthers, guard Travelle Wharton was deactivated with a knee injury. He was replaced in the starting lineup Geoff Hangartner.