EDEN PRAIRIE — Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Adrian Peterson’s lower back injury will not keep him from playing in Sunday’s playoff game against Seattle. 

Peterson had to leave the game against Green Bay last Sunday with the injury, but was able to return late in the game. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Zimmer said Peterson is ready. He says the NFL’s leading rusher is feeling “much, much better.”

That is good news for the Vikings, who desperately need Peterson’s playmaking ability on an offense that has struggled to generate big plays in the passing game.

Forecasts call for bitter cold, putting even more emphasis on the need for a strong running game.