Questions about Peterson's collarbone won't go away

Adrian Peterson's collarbone was protected from contact in his first workouts with the Minnesota Vikings over the weekend, but not from curious reporters.

And the former Oklahoma star better get used to it, because the string of unanswerable questions about the condition of that collarbone isn't ending anytime soon.

Peterson no longer has Bob Stoops and his crew to shield him from any uncomfortable questions the media might offer. And everything is fair game.

On the field, Peterson generally impressed his new coaches in the three-day, non-contact minicamp with the Vikings, who selected him No. 7 overall in the April 28 NFL Draft.

But Peterson and Vikings personnel agree that they know only one thing about whether the running back's collarbone will require surgery: They don't know yet.

Peterson told reporters he was "pretty sure, eventually” a decision will have to be made regarding possible surgery to insert a plate in his left collarbone, which he broke October 14 and reinjured in Oklahoma's Fiesta Bowl loss Jan. 1.

"Right now I'm just focusing on getting these plays in,” Peterson said. "It's something you really have to study and put time in for to get these plays and the different terminology, the language.

"(The collarbone) hasn't given me any problems so I'm just going to push right ahead.”

Vikings coach Brad Childress was pleased with Peterson's on-field performance, including his pass-catching and kickoff returns.

Last season, Bethel Johnson handled 45 of Minnesota's 66 kickoff returns, but he left for Philadelphia.

Peterson's running style isn't specifically suited for kickoff returns, but his speed is. He stepped in on kickoff returns briefly before the collarbone injury last year, averaging 23.1 yards on seven returns.

"Any way I can contribute to the team, I'm willing to do it,” Peterson said. "I'd love to (return kicks) if they feel the need for me to be out there.”