Tuesday NFL buzz: Vikings' Adrian Peterson targets return vs. Packers
Check back throughout the day for all the latest quick-hit news:
Peterson eyes return next week
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has targeted a Christmas Eve date with the Green Bay Packers for his return from a torn meniscus.
“My plan and my vision is to be back for the Green Bay game, that’s what I’m envisioning,” Peterson told Dash Radio, according to The Star Tribune. “Of course, the perfect scenario is we win out, I’m able to rest up three weeks and be ready for the playoffs, but I’m envisioning I’ll be back out there this week practicing and I’ll go from there.”
Peterson said last week he planned to return this season, but only if the Vikings remained in playoff contention. At 7-6, Minnesota is two games behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North and one game back for the final NFC wild-card spot.
The Vikings rank last in the NFL in rushing yards per game with 73.4.
Bengals release Nugent
The Cincinnati Bengals released Mike Nugent after the kicker missed another extra point and field goal in Sunday's 23-10 win over the Browns.
Nugent was 23 of 29 on both field goals and extra points this season.
Randy Bullock was signed as his replacement.
Carroll shoots down Rams talk
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll closed the door on any possibility he would flee for an NFC West rival in the Los Angeles Rams.
While Carroll had no comment on a report that the Rams would pursue him for their opening after they fired Jeff Fisher on Monday, he said "yes" when asked if he wanted to rule out any chance he would coach the team.
Carroll signed an extension this offseason that keeps him under contract with the Seahawks through 2019.
Pouncey out for season
Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday with a hip injury.
The team also signed quarterback T.J. Yates to add depth after Ryan Tannehill suffered sprained anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments on Sunday. Matt Moore has been named the starter for Saturday's game against the New York Jets.
Jets place two on IR
The New York Jets placed safety Marcus Gilchrist and right tackle Breno Giacomini on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday.
Gilchrist tore the patellar tendon in his right knee on the opening kickoff of the second half of the Jets' win at San Francisco on Sunday. He is tied for the team lead with two interceptions and is largely considered the quarterback of Todd Bowles' secondary.
Giacomini played in five games this season after starting the season on the physically unable to perform list with a back injury. He was dealing with back, shoulder and calf ailments, and was inactive at San Francisco.
—The Associated Press
Cardinals cut punter Butler
The Cardinals brought aboard former Arizona Wildcats standout Scooby Wright and cut ties with punter Drew Butler on Tuesday in a series of roster moves.
The team also placed safeties Tyvon Branch and Deone Bucannon, along with tackle Ulrick John on injured reserve and elevated quarterback Zac Dysert and punter Matt Wile to the active roster from the practice squad.
Wright (6-0, 240) was selected in the seventh round (250th overall) of the 2016 draft by the Browns and has spent the majority of the season on Cleveland’s practice squad after being inactive for the first two games of the season.
Wile (6-2, 215) signed with the Cardinals' practice squad last week. He played in one game for the Falcons earlier this year and averaged 58 yards on two punts and recorded touchbacks on all seven kickoffs in Atlanta’s Week 12 game against Arizona.
—The Arizona Republic
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