Peterson held out by Vikings vs Eagles; Gerhart sits, too, leaving Asiata as featured back

By The Associated Press
December 15 2013 08:53 AM

CP26461930 — Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, left, walks off the field with injured Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 48-30. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

MINNEAPOLIS – Adrian Peterson has been ruled out of Minnesota’s game against Philadelphia because of a sprained right foot.

Peterson returned to practice Friday, and the Vikings expressed optimism about the 2012 NFL MVP playing Sunday against the Eagles. But with the Vikings out of playoff contention, they decided not to risk his health. Backup Toby Gerhart was also on the inactive list because of a hamstring injury.

That left Matt Asiata, who had three career regular-season carries coming into the game, as the featured back. Joe Banyard was signed to the active roster from the practice squad for depth, and fullback Jerome Felton was expected to get the ball, too.

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AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org

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