Running back Adrian Peterson will not be allowed by the Minnesota Vikings to participate in all of the team's preseason games, as they do every year since his ACL injury in 2011, to preserve him for the long haul of the regular season, according to reports from the league's official website.

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Coach Mike Zimmer is firm on the decision as he wants to keep the 30-year-old's body strong and prepared for the games that matter rather than risk any injury on games that don't.

However, Zimmer clarified that if Peterson requests for a few carries, he might oblige. But he advises against it.

"With a player of his caliber, the way I would handle it would be, as we get into the preseason and get going, I'll probably talk to him and see what he feels like he needs to get ready for the season," the coach told ESPN's Ben Goessling. "If he doesn't feel like he needs any, I'm not worried about it. If he feels like he needs to get some, then we'll get him a couple carries. But he's going to get so many reps in training camp and so much work there, I'm honestly not worried about it."

Some analysts believe that the move of Zimmer is a sort of precautionary measure that comes with his running back's age. Peterson turned 30 last March and based on historical data, only a few backs are able to maintain their top-level game beyond that age.

One notable running back who managed to lead the league in yards in such an advanced age is Walter Payton. He did it across a three-year period, from 1984 to 1986, when he was 30 to 32 years old. (Source: USA Today Sports' The Big Lead)

One thing that Zimmer is certain is that the long layoff did not make his superstar running back miss a step. Or miss a speed for that matter.

The coach was all praises to what Peterson had been showing and giving the team during the organized team activities and he promised him more reps when minicamp starts on June 16.

During the OTAs, the former NFL MVP carried the ball, protected it, caught it, accelerated and moved toward the end zone several times and with relative ease and mastery.

In Zimmer's own words, he "looked exceptional." As always, he's still Adrian Peterson.

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