Adrian Peterson: 'I was set on playing'

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has insisted that missing yesterday's match against the Carolina Panthers was never an option for him.

Peterson's place in the starting lineup was called into question following the tragic death of his two-year-old son on Friday, but he started the match and was given 10 carries and three receptions as the Vikings were beaten 35-10.

The reigning NFL MVP revealed that his mindset is always to take something good from something bad, which is why he never thought about missing Sunday's match.

"I was set on it. I just look at things and I don't ask people to understand my mindset and how I think," Peterson told reporters.

"Anything bad, I try to take good from it. That's the way I approach life in all situations. I never thought about not playing. It was all about just going out there and praying that I have the strength to get through and help my team. That was my focus."

The Vikings' defeat leaves them 1-4 for the season with their only victory coming in the International Series match at Wembley a fortnight ago.