METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints will bring in running back Adrian Peterson for a visit next week, according to the NFL Network. (Updated: Peterson confirmed the visit to ESPN NFL Insider Josina Anderson. He said he is scheduled to travel to New Orleans on Monday, have dinner and visit with team on Tuesday.)
Peterson, who turned 32 last month, became a free agent when the Minnesota Vikings decided not to pick up their $18 million option on him. He has also visited with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
The Saints have a No. 1 running back in Mark Ingram, who is 27 years old and under contract for two more years. But they need depth after allowing veteran backup Tim Hightower to get away and sign with the San Francisco 49ers last week.
It's unclear if the Saints are intent on adding a veteran runner or if they just view Peterson as a great talent who might be available at a discounted price at this stage of free agency.
Saints coach Sean Payton has stressed multiple times this offseason how much he likes the depth of this year's running-back class in the draft.
“I think it’s an outstanding running-back class,” Payton said. “So I think in the early rounds, in the middle rounds, I think there’s gonna be some runners playing in our league next year drafted in the third and fourth round."
Peterson, the 2012 NFL MVP, spent his first 10 seasons with the Vikings and ranks 16th in NFL history with 11,747 rushing yards. He posted a message on social media last month insisting that his decision won't be about money and that his main objective is "finding the best fit and helping a team in a major way win a championship."
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) March 25, 2017
Peterson played just three games in 2016 because of a torn meniscus suffered Sept. 18. He carried 37 times for 72 yards, returning in less than three months after his injury to play against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 18. However, he sat out the Vikings' final two games because of an adductor strain he suffered in his first game back.
Peterson, whose career rushing yards rank second to Frank Gore among active players, has failed to eclipse 40 carries in two of the past three seasons because of suspension and injuries, but he led the NFL with 1,485 rushing yards in 2015.
Since recovering from ACL reconstruction on his left knee to rush for 2,097 yards in 2012 and win MVP honors, Peterson has defied the evidence that running backs wear down by age 30. He has long said he believes he can play deep into his 30s.
ESPN's Ben Goessling contributed to this report.