Adrian Peterson plans to practice this week, play against Packers on Dec. 24

Adrian Peterson has spent a bulk of the season on IR with a knee injury, and his absence has had plenty to do with the fact that the Vikings rank dead last in rushing. But head coach Mike Zimmer recently said that Peterson was ahead of schedule, and the player himself said he plans to return to practice this week.

Minnesota is still in the playoff chase after Sunday's win over the Jaguars, which is an important detail considering Peterson's stance on the matter last week, when he said it would be "pointless" to return if the Vikings no longer had a chance of making the postseason.

Minnesota will host the Colts in Week 15 before that all-important matchup with the Packers in Green Bay on Dec. 24.