Frazier: Peterson looking for 4.3 in 40

The Vikings are urging Adrian Peterson to be cautious with his knee rehab as he has started running. The Vikings’ medical staff is “impressed with his movement,” head coach Leslie Frazier said.

Adrian Peterson ran for the first time since knee surgery last week, and the Minnesota Vikings’ staff was pleased with the results.

“Did a great job and everybody was impressed,” Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said Tuesday while attending an Athletes in Action luncheon with longtime friend Tony Dungy. “Our trainer, (Eric) Sugarman, was impressed with his movement and the things he was able to do. He’s on schedule. He’s doing well.”

Peterson, 27, underwent surgery on Dec. 30 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee, stemming from a hit in a Dec. 24 game against the Washington Redskins. Peterson has spent much of the past three months rehabbing near his home in Houston but was in Minnesota last week and showed his progress.

Sugarman has been in regular contact with Peterson during the process, and Peterson so far has met the timeline provided by Sugarman in January. Peterson returned to Houston but is expected to be back at the Vikings’ facility in two weeks.

Peterson said on the “Dan Patrick Show” in February that would start running at the end of that month, but Frazier had cautioned Peterson to take things slowly and follow the timeline of his rehab program. Frazier, whose playing career essentially was ended by a knee injury, reiterated Tuesday that he’s advising Peterson to proceed with caution as he returns to running.

“We had that conversation, too,” Frazier said. “He said, ‘How fast should I go?’ We’re just trying to judge movement, and he wants to run a 4.3 40. But he has to let that graft continue to heal. He understands there’s a time frame he’s working within, and so far, so good.”

Peterson has said he wants to be ready for the first game of the 2012 season. He played 12 games last season, finishing with 970 yards rushing, the first time in his career he fell short of 1,000. He added 13 total touchdowns last season, tied for the second-highest total in his career.

Frazier also said running back Toby Gerhart, who suffered a knee injury in the season finale, will be ready when the team begins offseason training activities May 29. Gerhart’s injury didn’t require surgery, and the 2010 second-round pick will be leaned on as Peterson is eased back into action.