EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings returned to work on Wednesday, knowing for the first time they won't have Adrian Peterson for the rest of the season. And as much as the news stung a locker room full of players that was still hoping to get Peterson back, it at least offered them some closure.

"I guess it's a sense of knowing that it's over with. It kind of puts people at ease," running back Jerick McKinnon said. "It's not what we wanted, but at the same time, we hope he gets another shot. He's a great player, a great mentor. I still look up to him. I still stay in touch. I'm still praying for him, and hoping for the best."

Coach Mike Zimmer addressed the Peterson situation with the team on Wednesday morning, cornerback Josh Robinson said, and as long as the Vikings have been without Peterson -- they will play their 10th game without the running back on Sunday -- Zimmer seemed unconcerned with the situation sapping the Vikings' focus.

"This team has been through a lot of adversity this year," Zimmer said. "I think they've stayed focused pretty well. I think we just keep pounding the message about what we're trying to do here, and what we're trying to accomplish, as far as what kind of football team, what kind of organization we want to have. The overriding message just keeps going on and on."

Zimmer would not say whether he had talked to Peterson since news broke of his suspension, and it remains to be seen whether the coach and the running back will work together again. Peterson will be 30 in March, and is scheduled to make $13 million in 2015. His suspension will last at least the rest of the season, and he will not be eligible for reinstatement until April 15, 2015 -- more than a month after the start of free agency and around the time the Vikings would begin offseason workouts.

Peterson's teammates said they hoped the running back would be back in Minnesota next season, but in the meantime, the Vikings are trying to turn their focus to Green Bay. To that end, Zimmer said, watching film of the Vikings' upcoming opponent had a sobering effect.

"When they watch the Packers, and the things they do offensively, and the things they do defensively -- scoring and returning punts -- it gets your attention pretty quick," Zimmer said.