MINNEAPOLIS -- With Adrian Peterson back in the Minnesota Vikings' lineup, the team will see if the NFL's leading rusher from a year ago can improve the Vikings' running game behind an ever-shifting offensive line.
Peterson is officially active for the Vikings' game against the Indianapolis Colts, playing for the first time since he tore his right meniscus on Sept. 18 against the Green Bay Packers, and he'll be one of three running backs active for the Vikings on Sunday. Up front, though, the Vikings will field their seventh different offensive-line combination of the season with Brandon Fusco out because of a concussion. Joe Berger, who is returning from his own concussion, will start at right guard in Fusco's place, while Nick Easton stays at center.
The Vikings' league-worst rushing attack has been hindered in part by a NFL-worst 1.63 yards per carry before contact, according to ESPN Stats & Information. And when Peterson played the first two games of the season, gaining 50 yards on 31 carries, he couldn't find any room to run even when the Vikings' offensive line was healthy. Coach Mike Zimmer this week attributed Peterson's struggles in part to a line that was learning a new blocking scheme under new position coach Tony Sparano. But as the personnel on the Vikings' line continues to change, they'll have to see if Peterson can fare better with the group than Jerick McKinnon or Matt Asiata have.
Here is the Vikings' list of inactives vs. the Colts:
CB Trae Waynes
G Brandon Fusco
