NASHVILLE – The Titans have promoted running back Adrian Peterson to the team's active roster, and he's ready to go.
And, after watching him this week in practice, the Titans are ready to turn him loose.
"I am excited to be here," Peterson said after practice on Friday. "You think of an ideal situation for a running back like me and my style, it would be this right now. So, I am just going to live in the moment, enjoy it, and do whatever they ask me to do.
"It was a warm welcome (from teammates). Guys seem excited to have me here. But, of course, it's about what you can do, now. I feel like once I came out, and the way I approached practice and the meeting room, I know guys are watching and kind of feed off that as well.
"My whole mindset is to let them know: Hey, I am coming in here, I am serious, and I want to do whatever I can to do to contribute and help this team continue to be successful."
Peterson, a seven-time Pro Bowler (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015), a four-time All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2012, 2015) and the NFL's MVP in 2012, said he's excited to be on such a good team, with a good culture.
"A great head coach, a great energy," Peterson said of Mike Vrabel, and the Titans. "And I felt it from the moment I got here. You look at a team that has been competing well for the past coupe of years, leading the AFC right now, leading the division. And, when I watch them – and it's crazy, because I was watching the game Sunday against the Colts – and you see a group of guys offensively, defensively that's gritty, that's grinding, and doing whatever it takes to win the game. So that right there speaks volumes."
Peterson (6-1, 220), added to the practice squad earlier this week as the Titans placed running back Derrick Henry on Injured Reserve, has rushed for 14,820 yards (3,192 carries) and 118 touchdowns over his 14-year NFL career with Minnesota (2007-16), Arizona (2017), New Orleans (2017), Washington (2018-19) and Detroit (2020). Additionally, he has tallied 301 receptions for 2,466 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 180 career games.
He has led the NFL in rushing three time – 2008, 2012 and 2015 – and is one of eight players in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. He also is the current record-holder for most rushing yards in a game, recording 296 yards against the Chargers in 2007; and he has posted 56 100-yard performances in the NFL. His career rushing total (14,820) ranks fifth on the NFL's all-time in rushing list, behind only
Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Frank Gore and Barry Sanders.
After a week of practice, Peterson said he feels like he can help.
"I feel good," Peterson said. "If they call my number, I'm going to go out there and contribute any way that I can. I do a great job of keeping my body in shape, mentally and physically, and keeping myself prepared for a moment like this."
