Toby Gerhart is expected to be the Vikings' primary back against the Jaguars Sunday.

If Adrian Peterson (knee) is active, he'll have "limited exposure" according to coach Leslie Frazier. That leaves the feature back job to Gerhart, who has proved he is capable of handling big workloads before. In the five games that Peterson has missed over the last two seasons, Gerhart has averaged 21.0 touches. "We feel like we don't have to change any of our plays. We're very confident and comfortable with Toby being our lead back if that's the case," Frazier said.

Toby Gerhart rushed six times for 18 yards in Friday's preseason game against the Chargers.

He was held without a catch. Hardly an inspiring night for a player ticketed for a big early-season role as the Vikings ease in Adrian Peterson (knee). If Gerhart doesn't suit up for Minnesota's exhibition finale, he'll finish the preseason with 17 carries for 79 yards and one catch for 19 yards. Gerhart should be the Vikings' primary back in Week 1, but how touches are divvied up after that could be wholly dependent on AP's health.

Toby Gerhart took the first-team snaps as the Vikings opened training camp.

As expected, Adrian Peterson (ACL surgery) chatted with coaches on the sideline. He's likely to be placed on the active/PUP list shortly. Gerhart will carry the lion's share of the workload until Peterson proves his health. In the five games that Peterson has missed over the last two seasons, Gerhart has averaged 21.0 touches.

Toby Gerhart has been led to believe that he's headed for a "big role" in the Vikings' offense this season.

Although Gerhart does expect Adrian Peterson (knee) to play in the season opener, he believes it will be off the bench. "I'm looking like I'm going to be the starter from Day 1," said Gerhart, "and have to be the starter all the way on through until Adrian is back and ready and full-speed." Gerhart totaled an impressive 419 yards on 83 carries (5.0 YPC) in six games while filling in for Peterson late last season. It's reasonable to project RB2/flex value for the first quarter of the season.

Toby Gerhart (knee) reiterated that his slightly torn MCL feels 100 percent.

Gerhart participated in the Vikings' minicamps and showed no residual signs of the Week 17 injury. He never needed to go under the knife. Gerhart projects as a low-upside workhorse if Adrian Peterson (torn ACL) starts the season on the PUP list.

Coach Leslie Frazier said "there's a very good chance [Toby Gerhart] is going to have to really carry the load early on."

Coach Leslie Frazier confirmed that RB Toby Gerhart's sprained MCL is no longer an issue.

"Yeah, he's doing fine," Frazier said. "Not going to have to have surgery. Should be good to go when we start our OTAs." After averaging 20.4 touches and 98.8 yards in five late-season games, Gerhart will earn RB3 consideration this summer with Adrian Peterson's health in question.

Toby Gerhart "continued to struggle in pass protection" last season, according to 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.

Gerhart has earned a bigger role thanks to a per-carry average of 5.0 yards in games missed by Adrian Peterson down the stretch, but the Vikes may look to add a third-down back this offseason. Lorenzo Booker made too many mistakes in 2011 to be guaranteed a roster spot.

Toby Gerhart isn't expecting to undergo surgery on his sprained left MCL.

"Swelling should go down with rest as my range of motion returns," Gerhart said. Minnesota's likely Week 1 starter at running back next season, Gerhart should be 100 percent healthy for OTAs.

Toby Gerhart's MCL injury has been diagnosed as a tear.

The Vikings will wait a few days to decide whether the injury will require surgery. Either way, Gerhart is expected to be back for offseason workouts.