EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson isn't playing in the preseason for the third consecutive season, but he's among those who would prefer if there was a shorter exhibition schedule for the rest of his teammates.

Peterson said on Tuesday he thinks the NFL should shorten the preseason to three games, estimating there had been "like 20 guys (who) tore ACLs already" and referring back to the push he'd made in May for NFL players to get fully-guaranteed contracts.

"Guys go down and things aren’t guaranteed with what their situation is,’’ Peterson said. “It’s rough. So I think it’s something to sit back and think about. It’s not basketball. This is football. Guys are being chopped below their knees and guys are running and colliding into each other going 100 mph."

Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt tore his left Achilles tendon on the second play of the Vikings' second preseason game against Tampa Bay, and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson was lost for the season on Sunday when he tore his ACL in the team's second preseason contest. The Vikings, of course, have five preseason games this year, after starting the year in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

"I feel like them adding on an extra game as well, that’s a lot of wear and tear on the body and then you’re going into a 16-game season,’’ Peterson said.