Adrian Peterson has defied original timetables, returning to active duty with the Vikings this week. Jerry Rice, who suffered a similar injury, is concerned that the running back is returning from knee surgery too soon. Rice suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 1 of the 1997 season and made a dramatic return on a Monday night in Week 16. He re-injured the knee in the game. "I cracked my patella," Rice said. "I feel that I rushed myself back to the football field. And I think that with Adrian Peterson, he's doing the same thing. "Because we are accustomed to being out there with the guys, sweating with the guys, fighting on the football field. And if you're not able to do that you just don't feel connected. And that's the reason why I rushed back. I hope he doesn't do the same thing."