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Hamstring keeps Peterson out of practice

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Adrian Peterson missed practice for the Minnesota Vikings on Friday because of a hamstring issue that also limited the running back on Thursday, but coach Leslie Frazier said there is no major concern about Peterson missing the Vikings' Monday night game against the New York Giants.

"His hamstring was a little tight, so we held him out of practice," Frazier said. "We expect Adrian to practice tomorrow."

The Vikings also kept cornerback A.J. Jefferson (sprained ankle) and offensive tackle Matt Kalil (back tightness) out of practice, but Frazier said both players are likely to practice on Saturday, as well. Of those three players, Jefferson seems most likely to possibly miss Monday's game against the Giants; he did not practice on Thursday, and was out of the Vikings' Sept. 29 game with the Pittsburgh Steelers because of the injury.

Frazier also said the Vikings are waiting to see if safety Harrison Smith's turf toe will require surgery, and based on what the coach said, the only chance Smith would have to return this season would be if he can recover without surgery. Smith is on injured reserve with a designation to return in eight weeks, but if he did need an operation, Frazier said, he would face a four-to-six month recovery, which would obviously end his season.

Essentially, the Vikings' only chance to get Smith back this season is if his injury heals on its own -- or at least improves to the point where he can play through it.

"We're going to take this approach and re-evaluate it at the end of that six weeks (before Smith can practice)," Frazier said. "There's a possibility he won't need it. There's some guys that haven't had to do it. We'll see if he can go out and do anything, and if not, we'll take the next approach."

In other Vikings' injury news:

  • Kicker Blair Walsh (left hamstring) was back to limited participation in practice after sitting out on Thursday; Walsh played last Sunday with the injury, but did not kick off.

  • Defensive end Jared Allen appeared on the injury report for the first time, his participation limited because of an ankle injury.

  • Wide receiver Jarius Wright (ankle) returned to full participation, and cornerback Xavier Rhodes (ankle) was limited again.