Peterson has only 50 yards on 31 attempts this season after leading the National Football League in rushing last season. According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Peterson suffered what’s known as a bucket handle tear of the meniscus, and the expected recovery time following surgery is a minimum of three to four months, and could take as long as six months for a full recovery.
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Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, however, conceded Wednesday that Peterson could miss the rest of the season, but an official determination wouldn’t be made until a doctor could assess the extent of the damage Thursday.
“I think there’s a good possibility”, Zimmer said.
“Everything is possible. It could be season-ending”.
“You’re going to have guys go down throughout the year”, defensive end Brian Robison said. Minnesota is holding out hope he can return late in the season for a playoff run. Since there’s basically no chance that the Vikings are going to be paying a 32-year old running back $18 million in 2017, particularly in light of this injury, whether or not Peterson plays another down in purple is likely going to depend on the ability and/or desire of the two sides to put together a new deal. The exact numbers included 31 carries for 50 yards and no touchdowns.
By placing him on IR, the Vikings still have the option to bring him back in December, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.
That’s a matter for another day, though.
Without Adrian Peterson, the new Vikings starting running back is Jerick McKinnon. Despite the Vikings’ initial optimism that Peterson wouldn’t miss a huge chunk of time, he’s facing a lengthy recovery after he opted to have it surgically repaired. I won’t say hit him low. but you definitely got to wrap him up because he’s so big and strong.
Peterson and DT Sharrif Floyd had their right knee surgeries on Thursday, with Floyd’s being arthroscopic surgery, and left tackle Matt Kalil had surgery on Friday morning to fix a torn labrum in his right hip.
Even with Peterson out, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said his team won’t plan for Sunday’s game differently. T.J. Clemmings, the starter at right tackle past year, will take over for Kalil. It is early in the season, but Minnesota looked like contenders in what was called “a supposed to be a win game” for the for division rivals, and favorites to win the division, Green Bay Packers.
Teddy Bridgewater has already been lost for the season due to an ACL tear and dislocated knee at practice. He led the league in rushing which eventually led to him making the first-team All-Pro honor.
Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West have been filling in for him. “I think they’re both different types of runners, but I think the combination of the two can help us”, Zimmer said.
I thought that things would be tough for Minnesota when Bridgewater went down, and now I think it will be impossible for them with Peterson being out. Rising superstar and now crowned NFC offensive player of the week, Stefon Diggs now leads the league in receiving yards (285), leads the league in catches resulting in a first down (12), and is tied for fourth in 20+ yard receptions (4).
Charles could provide a jolt for an offense that has been slow out of the gates.
Now, we can’t talk about a Vikings and a Packers game without talking about Aaron “Discount Double Check” Rogers.
Sherman did not take questions during his media availability. “They’re competitive”, Zimmer said.
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Sherman’s message came after a pair of police shootings this week, one in Charlotte, N.C., another in Tulsa, Okla. Their sustainability will be tested on Sunday when they face the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers.
