MINNEAPOLIS — Adrian Peterson has always called himself a quick healer. Now he says he’s ready to come back from his latest knee surgery even sooner than he originally thought.

Peterson told Dash Radio on Friday that he plans to return to the Minnesota Vikings backfield on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. His surprise announcement comes four days after he reiterated that he was targeting the game against Green Bay on Dec. 24 as his first game back after having surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee.

“It really boils down to how I feel,” Peterson told the internet radio station, of which he is an investor. “What it really came down to me in my heart knowing, especially after these past two days, that I can go out there and be productive.”

Peterson practiced Wednesday for the first time since he was injured in Week 2 against the Packers. He practiced on Thursday and Friday as well and was not listed on the team’s injury report, further evidence that he is fully healthy.

“I was really uncertain,” Peterson said of starting the week. “I had been cutting on my own on the field, but it’s different when you have guys to avoid and you’re playing the actual game of football.”

Peterson said he spoke to coach Mike Zimmer, head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman and his wife as he contemplated making the return one week sooner than he initially expected.

“We just have to make sure everything is good with the doctors and everything going forward, that’s all,” Zimmer said after practice on Friday.

According to Peterson, the wait is over.

It’s a big lift for the Vikings, whose offense has struggled to score points and sustain drives in short-yardage situations. Peterson had just 50 yards on 31 carries behind a porous offensive line in the first two weeks.