Adrian Peterson hopes to return for Week One game

Adrian Peterson grins at a game early in the 2011-2012 season. He was injured soon after, but could he be returning this September? (Photo from Creative Commons)

In December 2011, running back Adrian Peterson's season took a turn for the worse following a serious knee injury. But he's adamant on returning to play for the first game of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Peterson underwent surgery just before 2012 and has been in rehab for almost five months. He said last week that he could feel his injury getting better and that he has been ahead of the expected results the entire time - therefore, in the four months until the season starts again, he should be ready to play. His athletic trainer, Eric Sugarman, however, is a little less enthusiastic. Although he acknowledges Peterson's recovery, he says he isn't sure that Peterson will be able to play in the first game as it would be too risky.

Are you hoping that the talented running back will be returning for the first game? Or are you thinking "better safe than sorry"?