Vikings rookie RB Gerhart will enjoy his backup role

Putting on the Minnesota Vikings jersey after being picked by the team in the second round of 2010 NFL draft, rookie running back Toby Gerhart has adjusted himself to NFL career with a elite team full with big-name players. With Adrian Peterson being the No.1 running back of the team, Gerhart has a clear definition of his own role.

"Adrian is the guy," Gerhart said. "I'm going to embrace whatever role the Vikings have for me. Competition is always good. I'll push him and make him get better every day in practice, and I'll push myself. Hopefully, I can give him a break during games. Maybe we'll be in the backfield together. We could be a dangerous tandem."

By so far, it has been expected that Gerhart will replace Chester Taylor, who was signed away by the Chicago Bears during free agency, to be the No.2 running back behind Peterson. Compared to Taylor, who had an average of six carries per game in 2009 but 44 catches for 389 yards, Gerhart was originally believed to be able to catch, but he still managed to have 24 catches for 271 yards in his last two college seasons. As also a baseball player, Gerhart himself believes that he can catch the ball much better if he is given opportunities. Well, that is very likely to be proven during the preseason.

Vikings RB Peterson was limited in practice with back injury

Because of back injury, the Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had to be limited in practice Wednesday, making his status for this Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers uncertain while a lot fans expect to see him in his vikings jersey.

Peterson was hurt during the Monday game against the Detroit Lions. Three days later, the team announced that the starting running back was placed onto the team’s injury report. Peterson has been the league’s leading rusher and rushed for 92 yards and made one touchdown during the game against the Lions.

On Wednesday’s workout, safety Madieu Williams was also limited with a shoulder injury. And linebackers Erin Henderson and E.J. Henderson did not practice at all. Erin missed because of a calf injury, and E.J., Erin’s brother, who is also the team’s leading tackler this season and had eight tackles in 27-13 win over the Lions on Sunday, missed because he had a shoulder injury.