Adrian Peterson had a message for the Vikings on Sunday. (USATSI)
Adrian Peterson had a message for the Vikings on Sunday. (USATSI)

Adrian Peterson wasn't in attendance for the Vikings 41-28 win over Atlanta on Sunday, but he he did have a message for the team. Just before kickoff, Peterson sent a text message to coach Mike Zimmer, who read the text to the team, several players told KSTP-AM in Minnesota. 

Vikings running back Matt Asiata didn't specify exactly what Peterson wrote, but he did say that it was a 'motivational speech.'

"We felt him in spirit," Asiata said. "He gave us a text, a motivational speech in a text, and we came out punching." 

The motivation must have worked because Asiata scored three touchdowns and the Vikings rushed for 241 yards. Even with Peterson last season, Minnesota only rushed for 241 or more yards one time. 

Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who was making his first career start, also got something out of Peterson's motivational text.

"One thing that I took away from that message was: 'play each down like it's your last because you never know when it's going to be your last opportunity,'" Bridgewater said. "Today I think the guys got that message pretty well. We went out, we fought today and it was just a great overall team effort."

Bridgewater threw for 317 yards before going down with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. The injury doesn't appear to be serious though and Bridgewater said he expects to play on Thursday. 

As for Peterson, linebacker Gerald Hodges also had some information about what was in the text. 

"Him and coach were texting back and [Peterson] said he wanted to share some things," Hodges said. "He just said he'd love to be out here, would be dying to be out here with us. But everything's out of his control. He just said go out there and play your hearts out like it's your last time playing." 

Peterson is on the Commissioner's Exempt List and won't be allowed to return to the Vikings until his legal issues are resolved. Even if Peterson does get things figured out though, the belief seems to be that he's played his last down in Minnesota.