"Vikings running back Adrian Peterson laughed Friday at Winter Park when asked if his five-catch, 76-yard receiving performance against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 30 was a fluke.

"I think I'll be more involved," Peterson said about his anticipated involvement in the Vikings' passing attack. "If I am open, I am sure (quarterback Christian Ponder) will find me. And once he goes through his reads, I will be that guy he can come to in need."

The 76 yards receiving is a career high for Peterson. Only once has the all-pro caught more than five passes in a game.

Peterson is averaging two receptions per game, 25th among running backs through nine weeks of the season. He trails NFL rushing leader LeSean McCoy of Philadelphia by only 30 yards. But he is 321 yards behind Chicago's Matt Forte in yards from scrimmage.

Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Peterson's performance against Carolina can be attributed to a Panthers defense that routinely dropped deep into zone coverage and an increased emphasis by the Vikings on getting Peterson the ball. "