MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings kept pace in the NFC playoff race with a win in Jacksonville on Sunday, and Adrian Peterson?could be closer to returning to action.Appearing on Dash Radio with Minneapolis native DJ Skee, Peterson said hes hoping to practice this week for the first time since he tore the meniscus in his right knee Sept. 18. He hopes to return for the Vikings game against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 24, but didnt rule out the possibility of playing against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, saying hed have a better idea of his readiness once he practices.League sources had told ESPN last month that Peterson could return for the Colts or Packers game after an MRI showed his knee was nearly healed, and Peterson was seen running light sprints at Vikings practice on Nov. 29. Coach Mike Zimmer said that day it wasnt the first time Peterson had run, adding the running back was probably ahead of schedule.Peterson said last week he would only return this season if the Vikings were in the playoff race, adding it would be pointless to play if the Vikings werent in contention and indicating he was looking toward returning for the Packers game -- which would fall on the five-year anniversary of when he tore his left ACL against the Washington Redskins.Peterson returned from that operation in 2012, a season in which he ran for 2,097 yards and won the league MVP, establishing his reputation as a quick healer. A comeback from meniscus surgery this season would only add to it.DJ Skee, a Vikings fan who performs on the sideline before the teams home games at U.S. Bank Stadium, closed the interview by telling Peterson he hoped hed finish his career in Minnesota.The 31-year-old running backs 2017 contract is a team option, with a $6 million roster bonus and $18 million cap hit, but when asked about the possibility of his return next year, Peterson pointed out recent reports that the leagues salary cap is expected to climb again next season, adding, Its up to those guys to make it happen and saying he was only focused on what he could control.I know Gods plan for my life is going to turn out great, he said. Jason Heyward Jersey . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Ryne Sandberg Jersey .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/cubs-kris-bryant-jersey/ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Anthony Rizzo Jersey . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. Kerry Wood Jersey . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Englands injury list has grown after a bruising weekend of Aviva Premiership rugby with 11 players now on the sidelines.A total of seven of the 23 that were named for Englands third Test against Australia are now out injured and as Eddie Jones prepares to name his Elite Player Squad on Friday, he will have to make some tough calls over those yet to play this season.Manu Tuilagi (groin), James Haskell (toe) and Jack Clifford (ankle) will all miss the November Tests while Jonny May (knee), Jack Nowell (thumb), Owen Farrell (back) and George Kruis (back) are yet to play this season.England captain Dylan Hartley was forced off with a back injury in Northamptons round two win over Bristol while Jonathan Joseph (thigh) was a late withdrawal from the Bath side that lost at Leicester.Harlequins duo Joe Marler (concussion) and Danny Care (ribs) also picked up knocks in their win over Saracens.dddddddddddd Marler will go through the return-to-play protocols while Care will get further clarity on his injury early this week.Saracens duo Farrell and Kruis are expected to return in the next fortnight with the latter set to face Bristol on Friday but Mark McCall is reluctant to rush back Farrell.Owen is getting closer and closer, but with the length of the season its just madness to make a short term decision that might have long-term implications, so well do the right thing, McCall said.He did all the training last week, he just didnt feel quite right and well wait until he feels completely right in his own head before we play him. Hes mad keen to play. ' ' '