Adrian Peterson could be on the verge of making his NFL return. The legendary running back is in Seattle today meeting with the Seahawks (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). 
Peterson joined the Titans earlier this year, following Derrick Henry‘s injury. He wound up seeing time in three games (two starts), collecting 90 yards and one touchdown on 31 touches. The 36-year-old was effectively leapfrogged by Dontrell Hilliard, however, leading to his late November release.
Peterson’s last full-time action came in 2020 with the Lions when he notched 604 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He compiled more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage as recently as 2019, and he rushed for 1,042 yards and seven scores with Washington in 2018.
If he joins the Seahawks, he’ll have an opportunity to join the 15,000-yard club for running backs, and with 367 more rushing yards, he would pass Barry Sanders for fourth all-time. If things don’t work out in Seattle, he could still find an opportunity elsewhere. The Ravens, Raiders, Bills, Falcons, and Dolphins were all said to have interest in him earlier this year, before his deal with Tennessee.
The Seahawks have already lost starting running back Chris Carson for the season, and Rashaad Penny may also have played his last snap of the year. In their absence, Seattle’s struggling ground game has been led by Alex Collins, who has turned 101 carries into 395 yards and two touchdowns.
The earliest Peterson could play would be this Sunday, when the Seahawks host the 49ers.
The Vikes could probably be added to that list of interested teams after D-Cook’s maladies. If AP doesn’t make it in Seattle, a reunion in Minnesota would be pretty sweet.
Sweet it would be!!! Even as a 3rd down/change of pace back for Mattison while Cook is out even. Heck….at the least…a little energizer for Vikes fans anyway!
Seattle is done. This is a “hey look at AD eclipse 15,000 yards rushing, don’t look at how bad Russ has been since he came off of IR.”
Russ is gone after this season
I know Hilliard had a long run in the Pats game, but outside of that, I was not especially blown away by his work. Foreman looked good in a power role, but had a fumble as well. I know Peterson is far, far past his prime, but it is still difficult for me to see how there was just no room at all for him in Tennessee. None of their current backs have exactly seized a role for themselves beyond the shadow of a doubt. I think I may have retained Peterson until one did, even as reduced as he is at his current age.
Comments open for Seahawks to host AP, but comments closed when they sign him?
This move reeks of desperation by both Seattle and Zach Links.