Adrian Peterson envisions returning this season, but only if the Vikings are in the playoff hunt

Adrian Peterson was asked Wednesday whether he’d be able to play again this season. Less than three months removed from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, the star running back replied, “That’s something I envision.”

That’s good news for Vikings fans, whose team is 6-6 and two games out of first place in the NFC North. With only four games left to play, the Vikings have won just one game in the last six weeks.

But Peterson also said that it would be “pointless” for him to come back this season if the Vikings were not in playoff contention by the time he was medically cleared. So, he said, he’d “play it by ear.”

That’s not-so-good news for Vikings fans, and for pretty much the same reasons listed above. The team is really struggling and could find itself out of the playoff picture if it doesn’t turn things around soon.

In other words, the Vikings sure could use the kind of boost a seven-time All Star would give them. Right now, though, while that guy is able to run in practice, he’s still unsure when he’ll be able to play in a game.

“I can cut and do things like that,” Peterson said. “But cutting out there with no one around you is a lot different than cutting and avoiding defenders. I’m working toward being able to do that.”

By the time that happens, the Vikings could be done playing meaningful games.

But Peterson said he’s not looking at it that way.

“I’m thinking that we’re going to make the playoffs, so that’s what I’m keeping my mind set on,” he said. “So if that’s not the case a week or two from now, we can settle back around.”

charles.schilken@latimes.com

Twitter: @chewkiii