The Facts: Peterson believes he could ready to get on the field in a limited capacity when the Minnesota Vikings open training camp on July 27 in Mankato. But all signs continue to point to Peterson continuing his rehabilitation from knee reconstruction on the camp/physical unable to perform list, preserving the possibility of transferring him to reserve/PUP for the season's first six weeks.

Diehards Line:So wrote 1500ESPN.com's Tom Pelissero, who noted that Peterson's rehab has remained on track, but it's still far too soon to say whether he can meet his goal of a Week 1 return. "It's early right now," HC Leslie Frazier said. "But in my mind right now, it'd be better to be doing things on the side (in camp) until we know and feel comfortable that he can get out there and interact with the players." According to Pelissero, that almost certainly means Peterson will be placed on camp/PUP, from which he could be activated whenever the Vikings' medical staff decides he's ready. Transferring Peterson to reserve/PUP on cutdown day in September would sideline him for at least six games, meaning he wouldn't be eligible until Week 7 against Arizona -- a tough sell for a prideful player who wanted to run less than two months after surgery. ... We'll remind you that Peterson isn't conceding anything yet and he's clearly making progress. But realistically, it would appear Toby Gerhart will open the season as the starter in Peterson's absence.