METAIRIE, La. -- Adrian Peterson knew what he signed up for. And he's not complaining about it.

But of course, Peterson admits that his new reality as part of a time-share with the New Orleans Saints has taken some getting used to. Even the little things, like being the second guy in the stretch line behind Mark Ingram.

"Of course it's strange. But anything you want, you work for," said Peterson, who was in unfamiliar territory during the only preseason game that he and Ingram played this summer -- with Ingram starting and Peterson rotating in on the second drive.

"Coming here, it was something I was expecting. But actually going through it, it's like, 'OK, this is different,'" Peterson said. "But when I sit back and I look at Mark and what he's able to do, and I look at AK [Alvin Kamara], [Daniel] Lasco ... For me, it's never about being selfish. It's about being in a position to score and winning a game.

"I'm sure I'll have my opportunities to get in there as well. But when you have that many playmakers, you have to put them in the game."

That's not to say Peterson will lower his expectations. When asked if he feels deep down that he will prove himself worthy of being the No. 1 guy by Week 3, Peterson said, "Of course. I'm thinking Week 1."

"That's my mindset," Peterson said. "And I'm sure that's Mark's mindset and AK's mindset. It better be or you're cheating yourself. When you want to be great you have to expect big things from yourself."

Just exactly how big of a role Peterson will play in New Orleans is one of the more compelling storylines of this entire NFL season -- especially in Week 1, when he'll return home to face the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.

Peterson, 32, would probably best be described as "1B" to Ingram's "1A." They're listed as co-starters on the Saints' unofficial depth chart, with Ingram's name coming first, followed by a slash mark.

Ingram will likely get more total touches and yards since he is also a standout pass protector and very good pass-catcher. For instance, in that third preseason game where they both played, Ingram ran back onto the field and Peterson ran off when they had a third-and-4 inside the 10-yard line.

However, Peterson has been healthy the entire year, so there is no obvious need to limit him. He could get just as many rushing carries and touchdowns as Ingram -- if not more -- depending on how the Saints mix and match the veteran "alpha dogs," while also mixing in dynamic rookie runner/receiver Kamara.

Peterson will reap a lot of new benefits from joining a less predictable, pass-first offense, seeing way fewer eight- and nine-man fronts than he saw with the Vikings, and being used more in the passing game.

Peterson cracked that the size of the Saints' playsheet "is something I’ve never seen before," though he knows it will be streamlined based on each week's game plan.

"I don't know [what to expect of the workload]," Peterson said. "Once we start the season then I'll get a better feel. [If] you've got a guy in there that's being productive and really moving the chains, I'm sure you're gonna try to stick with that guy. And I'm OK with that. If it's AK and Mark and they're moving the chains and getting down there, hey let that guy roll, he's going.

"But it's a different experience for me, you know. I haven't done anything like that in 10 years. So I'd be lying to you if I sit here and say I'm [not] sitting on the sidelines like, 'Man, I wish I had that run or I wish I had that choice route.' But it's not said in a selfish way or having any type of animosity against these guys, because that's just not how I am as an individual. I'm all about winning.

"I'm not the type of guy, no matter my status, to come in and be like, 'Hey, I'm that first guy now.' Mark, he's been here for a long time, I'm OK with that. I've been the guy for 10 years. I'm comfortable and confident with my ability and what I'm able to do. So I don't let things like that bother me.

"To me, it is what it is. I still have a job to do and I'm gonna do that."

Saints quarterback Drew Brees -- a fellow future Hall of Famer who doesn't ever have to share the ball -- said he isn't concerned about how Peterson or Ingram will handle the situation.

"I think those are both prideful guys, I also think those are both real professionals, and I think they both really want to win," Brees said. "Are there gonna be the moments where both are chomping at the bit and yet only one guy can get the carries on that given play? Yeah, I'm sure. But I think it will also bring out the best in them when their opportunities do come."