EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer told play-by-play announcer Paul Allen on Wednesday morning that Minnesota will plan for multiple outcomes of Adrian Peterson's status in 2015, but the team would like the issue to be resolved soon.
Zimmer, back at Winter Park from last week's Senior Bowl, did a phone interview for Allen's show on KFAN in which the coach reviewed parts of his first season at the helm, discussed the Vikings offseason plans and recalled experiences as Cowboys defensive backs coach when Dallas defeated Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XXX.
Peterson hasn't played since Week 1 of 2014 and is currently serving a suspension issued by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He won't be considered for reinstatement by the league until April 15. The NFL Players Association is suing the NFL on Peterson's behalf, and a hearing is scheduled for Feb. 6.
"It is difficult. We're going to have a couple of different plans for if Adrian can get back, and if he can't," Zimmer said. "Really, our hands are tied until we can figure out that and then we can move into which plan we want to go to. It makes it more difficult, but we've got other areas that we have to focus on and try to correct as well. The thing with Adrian, hopefully, will get resolved very shortly and then we can get on to trying to improve this football team and make the fans proud of how we go out and play."
Zimmer and Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman, the personnel department and coaching staff attended Senior Bowl practices last week to observe and rate 110 draft-eligible players that were invited to the 66th annual all-star game. Earlier this month, players who opted to leave college early for the pros were added to the mix, and the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine is scheduled for next month in Indianapolis. The 2015 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 30-May 2 in Chicago.
Allen asked Zimmer specifically about receivers in this year's talent pool.
"I think it's a good class for wide receivers," Zimmer said. "I don't know if it's as good as it was a year ago, but we're still in the evaluation phase. The juniors just declared a week and a half ago, so we've still got a lot of work to do in all the areas and all the positions, but we're looking forward to having another great draft and try to have some guys that can help us win football games."
