Peterson held out with sore hamstring

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was held out of practice on Thursday with a sore hamstring. He isn’t the only starter unable to get in a full week of practice.

The Vikings will have a new quarterback for Sunday’s game against Carolina when Gus Frerotte replaces Tarvaris Jackson. However, Minnesota might be without the services of Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson.

Peterson was held out of practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury and coach Brad Childress admitted there is concern. Peterson was limited in Wednesday’s practice and it’s not clear if he suffered a setback.

The second-year star was injured late in the Vikings’ 18-15 loss to Indianapolis when he attempted to push through a pile. Peterson, the NFL’s leading rusher with 263 yards on 48 carries, ran for 160 yards on 29 carries in the defeat.

His yardage total was the third-highest of his career and the 29 attempts was one off his career high. He had 30 carries against San Diego last season as he established the NFL single-game record with 296 yards rushing.

“I’m just taking it one day at a time and giving it some time to rest,” Peterson said. “It’s just soreness in the hamstring.”

Peterson said Childress asked if he could return the final kickoff with a few seconds left against the Colts but he was unable to. “It was so tight and Coach Childress came up to me, getting ready to put him for the last play,” he said. “But I wasn’t able to go out and give 100 percent.”

The Vikings have lost their first two games and desperately need a victory over the Panthers (2-0). But they also don’t want to risk Peterson’s health. If Peterson can’t go veteran Chester Taylor will get the start and backup Maurice Hicks likely will be active after missing the first two games of the season because of a sprained foot.

Even if Peterson does play, it’s likely Taylor will see far more carries than the four rushing attempts he has had in the first two games.

NOTES

WR Sidney Rice did not practice for a second consecutive day Thursday because of a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is unlikely to play Sunday against Carolina.

LT Artis Hicks was limited in practice Thursday because of an elbow injury but he is expected to play against the Panthers. Hicks played the entire game against the Colts last Sunday while wearing a brace on the elbow.

WR Aundrae Allison was limited Wednesday and Thursday in practice because of a foot injury but said he will play this weekend.

WR Bernard Berrian continues to play despite being hobbled by a sore big toe on his right foot. It’s clear that Berrian is struggling to get separation downfield as a result of the soreness. He was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday and likely will have to play through pain for the second consecutive season.

S Darren Sharper was limited Wednesday and Thursday because of a shoulder injury.

RB Maurice Hicks was able to take part in all of practice Wednesday and Thursday. He missed the first two games because of a sprained foot but should be able to play Sunday. Hicks was signed primarily so he could return kicks.

DT Ellis Wyms was able to take part in all of Wednesday and Thursday’s practices despite suffering a concussion against the Colts.