Will Adrian Peterson play in the preseason? It's up to him, Zimmer says

This exhibition slate doesn’t equate to last year’s preseason for Adrian Peterson.

Then, in 2015, Peterson had played just one regular season game under offensive coordinator Norv Turner. He was coming off a 15-game absence. And after his return to the Vikings came with some speed bumps in the offense, head coach Mike Zimmer openly questioned in January whether or not he should’ve given the former NFL MVP some looks in preseason games.

This time around, it’s apparently up to Peterson.

“If he wants to,” Zimmer said Monday.

Peterson can at least open the discussion.  If he  doesn’t want to play in the Vikings’ remaining exhibitions, it sounds like he won’t.

“Well I’m going to sit down and talk to him about it,” Zimmer said. “If he wants to play, we’ll discuss what we think. If he goes in there, he’s probably not going to get one pass and out. He’s going to play.”

Peterson, 31, hasn’t appeared in a preseason game in three years and hasn’t taken an exhibition carry in five years. It would’ve been presumed business as usual, though Zimmer continues to leave the door open for Peterson to get some work in preparation.

Zimmer has called for a more balanced offensive approach this season  after  Peterson’s 327 carries led all running backs and the team’s 454 throws were the fewest in the league.

Specifically, it was  a question eight months ago on Peterson’s play in the passing game that sparked Zimmer’s open thought on whether he should’ve taken the bubble wrap off early.

His view on this year’s preseason appears different. Zimmer was decisive Monday when asked if he needs to see Peterson in any game situations prior to the regular season.

“No,” Zimmer said. “I see him on highlight films every week.”