MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — One push-up. Brandon Fusco managed to do one the other day. No big deal.

Actually, it’s a huge deal to him.

The Seneca Valley High School and Slippery Rock University graduate is coming back from a torn pectoral muscle in his chest to reclaim his job as starting right guard for the Minnesota Vikings.

“It’s been a long road, but it’s getting there,” the 6-foot-4, 306-pound Fusco said. “I should be good to go for OTA’s in the spring and then training camp.”

Fusco suffered the injury in Week 3 of the 2014 season against the New Orleans Saints.

“The play was a power sweep,” he recalled. “I got up to make my block and just felt something give. I stayed in for one more play, then had to come out.

“I talked to our medical staff on the sidelines and they knew what it was. They said, ‘Oh, that’s a torn pectoral,’ and I was done.”

What followed was surgery in October, six weeks in a sling, then a lengthy rehabilitation process that is ongoing.

Fusco remains on the Vikings’ injured reserve list. Veteran lineman Joe Berger slid over to right guard to take his spot as Minnesota dealt with numerous injuries along the offensive line last season.

Only two seasons ago, Fusco was part of an offensive line that started all 16 regular season games today and helped Adrian Peterson rush for 2,097 yards.

That remains the second-highest single-season rushing total in NFL history.

“We want to get back to that,” Fusco said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with Adrian’s situation, but we want him back. The entire team would welcome him back.

“He’s the best player on our team. He’s our leader. We’ve missed him. Nobody works harder.”

The Vikings finished 7-9 last season. Peterson is still serving a suspension by the NFL for alleged child abuse and will not be considered for reinstatement until April 15.

The day before the 2014 season opener, the Vikings committed to Fusco with a five-year, $25 million contract.

“Now it’s up to me to live up to that,” Fusco said. “My next goal is to make the Pro Bowl. I love football and I love playing in Minnesota. The fan support is incredible here.

“I think back to high school. I was a 225-pound lineman without much of a future. I developed into a player at Slippery Rock. I feel blessed. I’m grateful every day for the situation I’m in.”

Despite being involved in football since he was a youth, Fusco had never undergone any type of surgery before this one. Between high school and college, he had only missed one game due to injury.

“This is all new to me,” he admitted. “I feel like I haven’t played a game in 10 years.

“But I’ve learned from this. I have to take care of my body. Eat the right foods, stay in shape, do plenty of stretching before every game and practice. The veteran players have told me ... If you don’t take care of your body, you won’t last in this league.

“It’s a men’s game out there. It’s brutal,” Fusco added.

But next season will be Fusco’s fifth in the league. Before his injury, he had started 34 consecutive games.

“Most NFL players don’t last more than two or three years,” Fusco said. “I want to come back stronger than before. We have a ton of young talent on this team and our future looks really good.

“I want to get back to the playoffs and be a part of that for a long time.”