The Minnesota Vikings running back corps has major help on the way, it appears.

Running back Adrian Peterson will practice this week, as he begins to prep himself for a Christmas Eve return against the Green Bay Packers – a big game for Minnesota’s playoff hopes.

“I plan on practicing this week to really get my legs under me and get a good feel on where I’m at,” he told DJ Skee on Dash Radio.“So, this week is going to be big for me. My plan, and my vision, is to be back for the Green Bay game. That’s what I’m envisioning.

“Of course, the perfect scenario would be we win out and I’m able to rest up for three weeks, and be ready for the playoffs. That’s the perfect scenario. But I’ll be out there this week practicing, and I’ll go from there.”

Peterson underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus after injuring his knee in the Vikings’ Week 2 win over the Packers. Assuming he comes back on December 24, it will be the second time in Peterson’s career that he has returned from a major knee injury quicker than some expected.

“I’ve been a pretty good judge of my body, and I don’t know if I’ll be ready to roll this week, next week or the week after,” Peterson said. “I feel like these next couple of days, next two weeks, for sure, will really help me determine what I’ll be able to do. God has blessed me to really be able to heal rapidly, and blessed me with a good mind-set to attack challenges and defeat the odds when people bet against me.”

Running backs Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon have seen the most work among Vikings running backs in the absence of Peterson.

The 31-year-old Peterson has rushed for 11,275 yards in his career, while reaching the end zone a total of 102 times.

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