Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon, who missed the final five games of the season with a lower back injury, said he is feeling much better following surgery in early December and should be ready for the start of organized team activities in May, per ESPN.
Running backs coach Kirby Wilson said Friday he feels McKinnon can be a featured back in the NFL, and he could be the team's primary running back in 2015, if Adrian Peterson doesn't return next season.
"I can’t really say what’s going to happen," McKinnon said. "Nobody knows. It’s the NFL, things change. All I can do is work hard and come OTAs, come back out here and compete and show the coaches I can still do what I can."
McKinnon averaged 4.8 yards per carry as a rookie in 2014, totaling 538 rushing yards on 113 carries. He also had 27 catches for 135 yards, but he has no rushing or receiving touchdowns.