The Vikings could draft a running back in the NFL Draft to help take the load off Adrian Peterson, reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The report says the team is looking for a replacement for the departed Toby Gerhart and give Peterson a rest from time to time.
"He's getting to the point where you don't have to give him the ball 50 times a game for 16 games," said general manager Rick Spielman. "Adrian's the face of our franchise, but Norv (Turner) has a history of having two backs to keep him fresh, because I think it's very important as you go through the season that they're still strong in Week 16 and they're still strong when you get into the playoffs."
Minnesota doesn't have a surefire No. 2 back on the roster. Matt Asiata filled in for the injured Peterson and Gerhart in two games last December and performed admirably with 166 yards on 44 carries (a 3.8 average). But Asiata, entering his third season, is still raw.
After that, Minnesota has just Joe Banyard and Bradley Randle on the roster. They've mostly been practice squad players.