Kyle Rudolph

The Vikings will play their final 2 preseason games without running back Adrian Peterson according to multiple reports. Peterson is practicing with the team and was taken off the physically unable to perform list August 12. He is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee. Peterson could still play in the Vikings regular season opener September 9 against Jacksonville.

Viking tight end John Carlson has a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his knee will according to head coach Leslie Frazier will miss 1-2 weeks. Carlson is expected to see significant action at tight end this season along with 2nd year tight end Kyle Rudolph. Carlson is a Litchfield, Minnesota native who played his college football at Notre Dame and played professionally in Seattle before signing a free agent contract with the Vikings in the off-season.

Vikings rookies Christian Ponder and Kyle Rudolph have worked out together since they were drafted in Florida and now in Minnesota as part of Larry Fitzgerald's organized offseason workouts. Ponder was throwing passes to Viking receiver Jaymar Johnson and Rudolph this season and Ponder has been living with Rudolph in his guest room while he looks for a place in live in Minnesota.

The Vikings selected what appeared to be the best player available when they took the first tight end in this year's draft, Kyle Rudolph from Notre Dame with the 43rd overall pick in the 2nd round. Rudolph is a 6'6 259 pound tight end that is considered a very good pass catcher but has the size to become a good blocker.