EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings are giving Adrian Peterson's body a break.
Peterson was held out of Thursday's practice; he did some running in the pool instead. Coach Brad Childress said he decided the NFL's leading rusher needed a day to rest after taking plenty of hard hits in last week's game against Tampa Bay.
"You just trust what you see," Childress said. "Some games are more physical than others."
Peterson has 1,100 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. His 225 carries are second in the league, two behind Atlanta's Michael Turner. Still, Childress has taken some criticism for Peterson's absence from the final desperation drive against the Buccaneers that began at their 36 with 1:55 left and the Vikings trailing by six points.
Chester Taylor caught a second-and-28 pass and fumbled at the 30, ending hope of a comeback. Because Taylor has been so productive as a receiver out of the backfield, Childress said he is the first option for hurry-up and must-pass situations.
"Obviously Adrian would love to be in there, but Chester got the nod," Childress said. "To me, there's no downside with Chester."
Peterson said "we have a lot of confidence in Chester," but also acknowledged he was surprised to be on the sideline.
"Did it surprise you?" Peterson said, smiling.
Defensive end Jared Allen, who's dealing with a sprained shoulder, was the other notable name on Thursday's did-not-practice list.
JoeG 
