When he was introduced to the media Wednesday, new Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson said he has a lot left in the tank. "Stay tuned, and you'll be able to see it firsthand," he said.
On Sunday, Cardinals fans had the opportunity to watch the 32-year-old Peterson prove himself right. He gained eight yards on the first play of the game, and five plays later, he scored his first touchdown in a Cardinals uniform on a 27-yard run to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead. The Cardinals went on to take a 24-0 lead into halftime.
First play of the game = @AdrianPeterson's first carry as a member of your #AZCardinals. pic.twitter.com/rjChwxK2Yt
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 15, 2017
Yo Adrian! pic.twitter.com/40Es3FXNHH
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 15, 2017
Peterson ended the first half with 85 yards on 11 carries -- already more rushing yards than the Cardinals had gained in any game this season. He gained just 81 yards in four games as a member of the Saints, who traded Peterson to the Cardinals on Tuesday in exchange for a sixth-round NFL Draft pick.
Peterson has breathed life into a Cardinals running game that was easily last in the NFL in both yards per game and per carry coming into Sunday's game. An injury to star RB David Johnson and a banged-up offensive line led to the Cardinals' signing of Peterson to provide a boost after a 2-3 start to the season.
Peterson wasn't the only star of the first half. Larry Fitzgerald caught eight passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in the game's first 30 minutes, as quarterback Carson Palmer completed all 13 of his pass attempts for 201 yards and two TDs.
