Adrian Peterson texted support to Odell Beckham Jr. over suspension

— -- EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Vikings running back Adrian Peterson said he texted Odell Beckham Jr. to express his support for the Giants wide receiver after news of his one-game suspension surfaced Monday. And Peterson said he didn't think Beckham's outbursts on Sunday against the Panthers warranted a one-game ban.

"It got physical out there, but the way I play, I like that," Peterson said. "Both of them, did it kind of get out of hand? Yeah. But my personal opinion, I don't think it warranted a suspension. I had the opportunity to reach out to the young guy. I just told him, 'Hey, just learn from it, and keep your head up.'"

Beckham lost the appeal of his suspension, which keeps him out of the Giants' game against the Vikings on Sunday night. And while several Vikings players said they didn't expect the Giants to change their game plan on Sunday night if Beckham were out, Peterson said there's no doubt it hurts the Giants.

"Outside of Eli Manning, he's their best player," Peterson said.

The Vikings can clinch a playoff spot with a win on Sunday night against the Giants, but can also clinch a postseason spot before that with a Seahawks win or a  Falcons loss. Peterson said he'd check the scores of those games at some point on Sunday, but "I won't be focusing on it too much." He also didn't subscribe to the theory the Vikings should rest players Sunday night if the Packers lose, assuring the Vikings of a shot at the NFC North title in Week 17 at Lambeau Field no matter what happens Sunday night.

"Our goal in here is to get the division," Peterson said. "We'll do that by taking care of business this week and getting ready for the next one."

Peterson sprained his left ankle Sunday against the Bears, but a league source said Monday that tests showed no significant damage to his ankle, and the NFL's leading rusher said he's confident he'll play Sunday.