EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. –Adrian Peterson's leading motivation for getting back on the field are his comrades in the locker room.

"I'm extremely hungry to get out there and help these guys win," said Peterson, who underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus after Week 2. "That's what it's all about. That's why I do it. It's not for yards or anything like that.

"It's for the guys in this locker room, the sweat during training camp and OTAs," Peterson continued. "We're brothers; we're family."

Peterson told Twin Cities media members Thursday that he fought to make a return this season for all of his teammates but specifically highlighted fellow veterans Chad Greenway, Brian Robison and Terence Newman.

The 31-year-old running back said he's witnessed the team refusing to give up throughout a large amount of adversity during the 2016 season.

"They continue to fight, and now here we are in position to still make the playoffs," said Peterson, who's served more of a mentor role for his teammates over the 11 games he's missed. "I've never really been that vocal of a leader. I've said things here and there, but being in the position I'm in now, you realize how much your voice really helps a lot of people."

Peterson now hopes to also be a leader for the team back on the turf.

After two days of practices, it's so far, so good. He knows, however, that there's more to be considered than simply a smooth practice.

"In my mind, I'm telling myself that it's 100 percent healed," Peterson said. "[But] I've got to be smart with how you approach everything going ahead.

"It's a little easy to go out and go through the first level, being able to run and cut, do some football movements," Peterson added. "Then, you move over to practice and have bodies in front of you and are able to simulate some of the movements, but it's nothing like being out there when you have guys diving, hitting at your legs."

Peterson has worked to get up to speed, both physically and mentally.

The Vikings have made some adjustments offensively over the weeks, and Interim Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur also stepped in for Norv Turner in the time that Peterson has been sidelined.

"There's still a lot of stuff that remains the same and just a couple wrinkles in there that are a little different," Peterson said. "When you have a different offensive coordinator, they have a little different approach, so the meeting room is different as well. But outside of that, we're still pretty much the same offense that we had previously, just with some new twists."

It remains to be seen when Peterson is able to return to action. He said he'll listen to his body and others.

"I'm just going to take it one day at a time, and when that time comes, as a group, we'll sit down and talk and see what direction it's best to go in," Peterson said. "What it's boiled down to is just how my body feels and with the meniscus, how it looks and how it's healing, what percentage is it healed? So there's a lot of factors that have been factoring in – the risk and all that, as well."

Peterson said he needs to consider his long-term goals as well, as far as wanting to continue playing past the 2016 season.

"There's a lot going on, and it's a lot to think about and a lot to make that decision," he said. "I've just been kind of weighing the options."