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MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says he is adapting well to running out of the shotgun formation. "It's been going well," Peterson said. "Just being more patient. That's always been the main thing. I've been able, I feel, to conquer that so I'm real comfortable.
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"I'm liking it. I was always against running out of the shotgun. But now that I've kind of switched and tweaked the way I approach it, things are working out good. I know it's going to help us out in the long run."
Peterson won't get the chance to show off his prowess in the shotgun formation until the regular season. As expected, the 31-year-old future Hall of Famer told reporters Thursday that he would not be playing in Sunday's preseason game against the San Diego Chargers.
"It was something I really thought about (doing) but ultimately just decided against it," said Peterson, who already has 2,758 career touches in the regular season and playoffs.
The $12 million running back hasn't played in a preseason game in three years.
Early last season, when Peterson was struggling with carries out of the shotgun formation, coach Mike Zimmer questioned whether he erred in not playing Peterson in the preseason. Earlier this month, Zimmer said the decision for this preseason would be up to Peterson, who had expressed some interest in playing.
Friday, Peterson said the decision was made "collectively."
"Ultimately, (Zimmer) wasn't going to force me to go out there and play," Peterson said. "I've been doing it for a long time. He trusts me."
Zimmer said Peterson's style doesn't mesh with running the ball out of the shotgun. But he said the running back understands the need to do so since that's the preferred passing formation for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
"His style is to get the ball and go fast, and sometimes in the gun you have to be a little bit more patient," Zimmer said. "You have to be a little bit more rounded. You've got to get your shoulders square to the line of scrimmage. So, it's some of that.
"He's better behind the quarterback than he is in the gun, I would guess, but he has been working hard at it."
The Vikings open U.S. Bank Stadium, their new $1.1 billion home, on Sunday against San Diego. Naturally, the fans are bummed about Peterson's absence.
"I can definitely understand that," Peterson said. "But I still have that opportunity on Sunday night (Sept. 18 home opener) against Green Bay. I'm looking forward to it."
