Adrian Peterson Will Be A Game-Time Decision

Adrian Peterson Injury Status: Questionable For Week 1

The Minnesota Vikings listed star running back Adrian Peterson (knee) as questionable for Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the injury report the team released on Friday. Head coach Leslie Frazier says Peterson will be a game-time decision for the season opener. The former Oklahoma standout has been working hard to recover from surgery he underwent to repair the the torn ACL he suffered last December, but he only managed limited participation in practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.

Peterson has been hinting that we would like to give it a go, and even told reporters that missing Week 1 would be a "hard pill to swallow," but the team is going to be careful to protect the health of their best offensive player.

The Vikings host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 9 in their 2012 NFL regular season opener.

Stick with this StoryStream for more coverage of Adrian Peterson's injury. For all things Vikings, check out The Daily Norseman or SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson: 'I'm Ready To Roll'

The Minnesota Vikings have been adamant all along that they're not going to rush running back Adrian Peterson back from ACL and MCL injuries suffered at the end of 2011. That being said, it doesn't look like they're going to have to, as Peterson has been saying for weeks that he'll be ready to go and that he hasn't been pressured by the team.

Now just a couple days away from Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Peterson reiterates that he's ready to go. Tom Pelissero of ESPN Twin Cities had a quote from Peterson:

"I'm ready to play," Peterson said. "If that's 10 snaps, five, 25, 30, I'm ready to roll. That's my mindset and how I'm feeling about it. So, I'm just going to keep my mindset pointed in that direction."

Peterson has been splitting reps in practice with his primary backup, Toby Gerhart. If he does play, it will likely be in a limited capacity, taking a few initial snaps before giving way to Gerhart as though it were something like a preseason game. Pelissero followed up that piece with a Tweet in which he gives his opinion on the matter: he insists that Peterson will play and could get five to 10 carries.

Given the nature of his injury, something like five to 10 carries in Week 1 would be something of a success story for Peterson and the Vikings. We're talking major reconstructive surgery here, dating back to the final week of the 2011 season. His confidence is definitely a good sign for the Vikings either way.

For more on the Minnesota Vikings, go to Daily Norseman. You can also get all of your professional football news over at SB Nation's NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson's Injury Will Keep Him Limited If He Plays At All

Whether or not Adrian Peterson plays in the Minnesota Vikings' season-opening game against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be a game time decision, the Pioneer Press reported. Head coach Leslie Frazier said the star running back will get "limited exposure" in the game, and that's only if he plays at all. According to Frazier:

"We'll talk about it as the week goes on and see how he's doing and if it's even a viable option to let him play."

Peterson tore his ACL last December. While he is a crucial part of the Vikings' offense, Adrian Peterson sitting out may be a better option for the team than Andrian Peterson returning too soon. Frazier again:

"You really have to hone in what's best for him, what's best for the team. Adrian is not just another guy on our team. He is in so many ways the face of what we try to do. We have to be able to see the big picture when it comes to him. That's the way we'll approach it."

Peterson saw no action in the preseason, but recent activities in practice have given the team and fans reason to be optimistic.

Stick with this StoryStream for more coverage of Adrian Peterson's injury. For all things Vikings, check out The Daily Norseman or SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson Can Take A Hit

Adrian Peterson was cleared to return to the Minnesota Vikings following the team's second preseason game, but the All-Pro running back was initially off-limits to the defense. That mandate changed this week, however, as the Vikings are now allowing Peterson to be touched in practice.

Peterson's first practice under the new rules -- pertaining only to his upper body, of course -- took place on Monday afternoon with coach Leslie Frazier sounding happy with how things have progressed.

"There were times there was nowhere to go and he had to run into people, and he responded well," Frazier said. "That was good to see. There were some good, hard hits. Nothing to the ground, just guys thudding him."

"Thudding" is a great word, but more than that it has to be good news for Vikings fans that Peterson is responding well to contact in practice after being held out of the Vikings' earlier preseason games.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson Will Dress But Not Play For Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings will have No. 28 in full uniform on the sidelines for Friday night's preseason game, but All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson see any playing time.

Peterson, coming back from a horrific knee injury suffered toward the end of last season, has only recently come to grips with the Vikings' decision to sit him for the team's two remaining preseason games. He'll apparently be allowed to do his pre-game duties Friday night, however, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Vikings fans will see Adrian Peterson in full uniform Friday night - he'll participate in pre-game warmups at the Metrodome.

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 23, 2012

The same plan will likely be in place for next week's preseason finale, too, before Peterson returns to the starting lineup for the season opener.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson Is OK With Vikings' Plan For Him

Adrian Peterson is known as a fierce competitor, but the Minnesota Vikings running back has decided he's OK with the team's plan to rest him for the remainder of the preseason. That goes against Peterson's initial reaction to the news, but the All-Pro running back is coming to grips with the situation.

Peterson returned to practice ahead of schedule after tearing the ligaments in his knee during an essentially meaningless game late last season, and he had hoped to get some preseason carries. That mindset has changed, however, as the running back told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he's decided to hop in line with the Vikings' view on things.

"I've been preaching to myself. I've been repeating it and trying to brainwash myself, teaching patience, patience, patience," Peterson said. "Because the last couple weeks I really haven't been hearing the things I wanted to hear, so I have to be patient. Patient. But I'm understanding it, man, and we're on the same page."

Peterson probably didn't have a say in the matter considering Minnesota wasn't likely to risk re-injury in an exhibition game, but it's good to see he's saying the right things anyway.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson Won't Play In Vikings' Final Preseason Games

Adrian Peterson won't see any on-field action until the regular season and will sit out the Minnesota Vikings' final two preseason games, according to a report from Dan Wiederer at the Star Tribune. It's the team's decision and Peterson is expected to ask to play anyway, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Vikings play the San Diego Chargers Friday and close the preseason Aug. 30 against the Houston Texans. Peterson's hopes of playing in one or both games have been dashed by the Vikings, who are taking the safe route with their star running back.

Peterson hasn't played since Christmas Eve last season, when he tore two ligaments in left knee. He's been relentlessly rehabbing ever since. He was only moved off of the PUP list on Aug. 12 and has only gone through four practices with the Vikings.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson Unlikely To Play Friday Vs. Chargers

The Minnesota Vikings plan to hold running back Adrian Peterson out of Friday's preseason game against the San Diego Chargers, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The team expects Peterson to ask to play, but it doesn't plan on allowing him to do so.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrove suggested that the team would likely sit him out:

We probably haven’t seen enough yet. We are going to put him through his paces again today, tomorrow, and the following day. It’s like a Wednesday to us with the Friday night kickoff, so another week will be good for his development and for our ability to assess his status.

Peterson is still recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee in a game on Dec. 24, 2011, but he's progressing well and is expected to play in Minnesota's first regular season game.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson Could Play This Weekend

Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said that his star running back, Adrian Peterson, could potentially play in the team's preseason game this weekend and that a determination on his status could be made by Tuesday or Wednesday, according to a press conference transcript made available on the team's website.

Peterson tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee on Christmas Eve in 2011, but has been an active participant at Vikings' training camp. Peterson was just 30 yards shy of eclipsing 1,000 yards rushing for the fifth consecutive season before he went down with the gruesome injury.

Despite how well he's looked in camp, Frazier will continue to exercise caution with Peterson:

We're going to give him a little bit more each day, see how he responds and continue to determine what is the next step. Just go day-to-day. We have some ideas of how we want to approach it but a lot of it is how he feels with some of the things we're going to give him this week.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson Acknowledges He 'Came Back Quicker Than Normal'

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson s taking part in team practices and trying to do everything he did before his horrible knee injury last season.

While there are those who feel Peterson is coming back from torn knee ligaments too quickly, including Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, Peterson admits that he is back to action faster than expected. Here are his comments on his return to radio station KFAN in Minneapolis:

"People are different. People heal differently, people bounce back and recover differently from different injuries. And it's just one of those cases where I've just been working hard, been blessed and God's been covering me. And I just came back quicker than normal. So it's hard for people to kind of fathom that and believe that, but it is what it is. So I don't worry about that -- I just keep my mind stuck on my vision and my goals, and everything else will work itself out."

Peterson dismissed Rice's statement, and is focused on cutting and looks forward to getting hit. He added that his coaches tell him to "run in a straight line," but he disregards the advice.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Vikings Defense Lays Down For Adrian Peterson

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice this week, far sooner than expected following last year's gruesome knee injury. The team isn't allowing the All-Pro to take any contact yet, however -- and his teammates had some fun with that on Wednesday.

Peterson is slowly integrating himself back into the fold, and when he gets the ball out of the backfield the defense is going to great lengths to make sure they don't touch him.

On Wednesday, Peterson played 13 snaps in team (11-on-11) drills and four more in a 7-on-7 period. He got four carries, caught a pass in 7-on-7 and dropped another in a team drill after bobbling it in front of linebacker Chad Greenway, who said he "can't wait" to give Peterson a little shot the next time that happens.

Defensive players had some fun with Frazier's order on Tuesday, lying down on the first of Peterson's two carries in 10 snaps.

It'll be interesting to see if Peterson decided to have "some fun" with those players once he's cleared to take -- and likely dole out -- some contact in practice.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Preseason Appearance Is Possible For Adrian Peterson

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson tore both his ACL and MCL on Christmas Eve of 2011, but he is already ahead of schedule to return to action. Peterson will be in full pads for Tuesday's practice and may even be ready to return to the field during preseason play.

Judd Zulgad of 1500 ESPN reports that Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier remains cautious about bringing Peterson back into action, but is not surprised that the superstar has recovered so quickly from his injury.

"Maybe if it was someone else," Frazier said. "But with Adrian, he's unique and he's always been that way in the time that I've known him in his career. He's special in so many ways and we all know the severity of the injury and what's required to come back.

"I never put in my mind, 'Well, we'll shoot for August whenever or September whenever,'" Frazier said. "I never put a number on it just because of who he is and also it's a process. This doesn't mean anything other than this is the next step in his rehab. But I never in my mind put a number saying that by, 'Week 2 of the preseason, let's try to get him ready to go.' ...Adrian is so unique. ... You just shake your head."

Zulgad speculates that Peterson could potentially play in the Vikings' third preseason game, which is against the San Diego Chargers on Aug. 24.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson Injury: Running Back Still Uncertain For Start Of NFL Season

Adrian Peterson returned to practice for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon, leading many to believe that he's ahead of schedule following last year's gruesome season-ending knee injury. That might not necessarily be the case, however, judging by the post-practice comments from Vikings coach Leslie Frazier.

Frazier told the Star Tribune that Peterson might still not be ready for the start of the NFL season, but rather his being removed from the Physically Unable To Perform list was just the next step in what could be a long process.

"I want to caution you," Frazier said after Peterson was taken off the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list on Sunday morning. "I know there are a lot of fans that are very optimistic and excited about seeing him back. But for us, it's just a part of the process. It doesn't mean a whole lot other than he's done a great job in his rehab up to this point.

"He's done everything he can do on the side, and now it's the next step in the process. It doesn't mean in the future he's going to be lining up with our team in the opening game [against Jacksonville on Sept. 9]. We don't know that."

Frazier didn't set a timetable for when we will know that, leaving quite a bit up in the air regarding Peterson's status at this point in time.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson Activated From Vikings' PUP List

Adrian Peterson has been activated from the Minnesota Vikings' physically unable to perform list, apparently. The team did not announce anything officially, but the running back was spotted taking a handoff during the team's walkthrough Sunday. Peterson is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL injury that ended his 2011 season prematurely.

Adrian Peterson must be off the PUP list. He just took the first handoff in the offensive part of the #Vikings walkthrough.

— VikingUpdate.com (@VikingUpdate) August 12, 2012

Prior to Sunday's news, Peterson was expected to return by the start of the regular season, but not too long before. He was placed on the active/PUP list, giving the Vikings an extra roster spot to work with during training camp. The fact that the veteran was taken off the list so soon has to be encouraging to fans, but expect coaches and staff to continue to be overly cautious.

For more on the Vikings, visit Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson's Injury Keeps Him On Vikings' PUP List

Adrian Peterson hopes to be ready for the Minnesota Vikings' first regular season game but he's not quite there yet. Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier told reporters on Friday that Peterson would start the season on active/PUP. This is different from the regular season PUP and it's not as concerning.

A player can't be added to the active/PUP list during training camp. He has to be placed there before it starts. So this gives the Vikings and extra roster spot for camp while Peterson continues his rehab.

If he's going to be ready for Week 1, he'll need to come off that list sometime during camp.

Earlier this month, Frazier said the team will "be smart" with Peterson's rehab.

"He's so valuable to our organization that we have to be smart. We'll tread lightly as far as Week 1 and how much he'll contribute on the field. Even when we get to training camp, he's going to be chomping (sic) at the bit but we'll have to be smart."

For more on the Vikings, visit Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Vikings Will 'Tread Lightly' With Adrian Peterson In Week 1

Minnesota Vikings superstar running back Adrian Peterson had his 2011 season cut short by a knee injury suffered during a December game against the Washington Redskins. After surgery to repair his torn ACL and MCL, followed by months of rehab, Peterson is on track to return in time to begin the season, but the Vikings are not pressing the issue.

Robert Klemko of USA Today reports that Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier is optimistic about Peterson's progress, but will remain cautious at the beginning of the season.

"He's right on course with what the doctors and trainers have asked him to do. We'll rely on what the doctors and trainers tell me and what we see as to when to put him back in uniform and get him involved."

"He's so valuable to our organization that we have to be smart. We'll tread lightly as far as Week 1 and how much he'll contribute on the field. Even when we get to training camp, he's going to be chomping at the bit but we'll have to be smart."

Vikings fans will of course be hoping that Peterson will be able to return to form in 2012.

For all news and information regarding the Minnesota Vikings, please visit the Daily Norseman or check out SB Nation Minnesota. For complete coverage of all things football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Adrian Peterson Injury: Vikings RB Likely To Be Inactive For Training Camp

Adrian Peterson ended last season on a pretty ugly note when he suffered a gruesome-looking knee injury late in the season as the Minnesota Vikings struggled to an ugly end of their season. There has been quite a bit of positive news coming out of the running back's camp, though, and most reports assume he's on a pretty good pace as far as his rehab is concerned.

That doesn't necessarily mean that Peterson's completely healthy, however, as 1500 ESPN's Judd Zulgad did a bit of reading between the lines this week while talking to Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier.

"But based on where he is today, everything is moving in the right direction. I don't know if we'll put him on the practice field anytime soon when we get to Mankato. But everything indicates there's a very good chance he may be ready for that Jacksonville game (to open the regular season on Sept. 9). We're still far enough out that you really can't say that right now."

Reading between the lines, it seems like the Vikings' plan right now might be to open camp with Peterson on the physically unable to perform list. That move would make him ineligible to practice and not open the door for Peterson to talk his way onto the field.

It wouldn't be the worst news in the world if Peterson opened preseason on the PUP list, but it's still far too early to tell whether or not he'll be ready for Week 1 of the NFL's regular season.

For reaction and updates on Peterson's injury status, visit Vikings blog Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.

Adrian Peterson Is Healthy Enough To Race His Vikings Teammates

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson tore his ACL late in December in the 2011 season and initially looked like he would miss most of the 2012 NFL season recovering. Peterson has been ahead of schedule, however, with hopes he could start the opening game of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Peterson is so far along in his recovery, apparently, that he's racing his teammates, according to The Associated Press.

The two friends ran up and down hills for conditioning and worked on balance in a sand pit, challenging each other to recover as quickly as possible and get back to the business of turning this proud franchise around after two straight last-place finishes in the NFC North.

Peterson began running in early February and sounds like he's on track for his goal to start the opening game of the season.

For more on Peterson and the Vikings, head over to the SB Nation blog Daily Norseman.

Adrian Peterson Injury: Vikings RB Starts Running

Adrian Peterson ran last week for the first since tearing his ACL in December. In an interview with Tom Pelissero of ESPN 1500 Radio, Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said the star running back looked good during the session and is still on schedule with his rehab.

"Did a great job," Frazier said. "Everybody was impressed. Our trainer, Eric Sugarman, was really impressed with his movement and the things he was able to do. He's on schedule. He's doing well."

Peterson has stated that he would like to be back on the field by Week 1, though it's unclear if that's likely. He didn't start running until a month after the late February date he predicted. Regardless, Vikings fans have to be encouraged that so far there haven't any major setbacks to speak of.

For more on Peterson and the Vikings, head over to the SB Nation blog Daily Norseman.

Adrian Peterson Injury Update: Vikings RB To Start Running Soon

Minnesota Vikings superstar running back Adrian Peterson suffered a torn ACL and MCL in December that required surgery. He is already on the road to recovery and the Vikings are hoping that he will be ready to go when the season kicks off.

Tim Yotter at Scout.com reports that Peterson appeared on a local radio station on Friday morning and relayed positive news about his rehab.

"I'm definitely making improvement. I'm starting to get my muscle tone and strength back into the legs," Peterson told Paul Allen on KFAN. "I'm happy with the progress I've made so far. I'm extremely happy."

Peterson believes he will start running on Feb. 28. Certainly good news for the Vikings and their fans. Peterson has led all NFL rushers in yardage since 2007 and the team is hoping he will come back in 2012 and continue to be an impact player.

For more on Peterson and the Vikings, be sure to head over to the SB Nation blog Daily Norseman.

Adrian Peterson Injury: Vikings RB Undergoes Successful Surgery

Adrian Peterson underwent successful knee surgery, according to a statement released by Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier on Friday. Peterson was placed on injured reserve following last Sunday's win over the Washington Redskins with tears in his ACL and MCL. He now faces an eight or nine recovery process that could jeopardize his status for the opening of the 2012 season.

"We've received word that Adrian underwent successful knee surgery with Dr. James Andrews and is now resting comfortably," Frazier said. " Adrian is in our thoughts, we wish him a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him when he returns to Minnesota."

Peterson played in 12 games this season, falling short of 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his five-year career. The Vikings suffered as a result, going 3-12 on the year with a game against the Chicago Bears still left to play.

For more on Peterson and the Vikings, be sure to head over to the SB Nation blog Daily Norseman.

Adrian Peterson Injury: Vikings Hope RB Is Ready For First Game Of 2012 Season

The Minnesota Vikings have officially placed Adrian Peterson on injured reserve after he suffered both an ACL and MCL tear last Sunday against the Washington Redskins so he can now start putting his focus on returning before the 2012 season.

Peterson's injury has been called an eight or nine month recovery process which means he could be in danger of allowing this injury to affect his 2012 season. Training camp and preseason is about eight months away while the regular season starts next September, about nine months away.

Vikings head trainer Eric Sugarman talked this week (via ESPN 1500) about Peterson's recovery process:

"We're going to hold a goal to have him ready for the first game, although I ask you for permission to please allow Coach (Leslie Frazier) to update that process as we go through the protocol," Sugarman said in his first comments to the press since 2007, according to ESPN 1500. "The goal is around eight to nine months. Around eight months is going to be probably our first game. We do think that the potential is to have him ready for the beginning portion of next season."

Starting the season on the PUP list would likely be a possibility as well. That said, if anyone's going to return from an injury like this quicker than usual, it's Peterson. Wes Welker has a similar injury and was out for just over seven months so it's possible to return sooner than eight or nine months.

Adrian Peterson Injury: Vikings Confirm Torn ACL

Adrian Peterson, who suffered a major knee injury on the Vikings' first play after halftime Sunday, knew he was in trouble as soon as he was hit.

"It definitely didn't feel good," he said after the game. "I knew initially right when it happened that it was something serious. So I don't know, I'm just anxious to see, find out and then go forth from there."

"Anytime you take a blow to the knee like that, you're concerned about the ACL, MCL," he later added before learning the extent of his injury. "I'm trying to stay as positive as I can."

X-rays taken at the stadium ruled out any broken bones, but an MRI performed later in the evening confirmed he suffered a torn ACL, the team announced Sunday evening. Multiple reports indicate that Peterson also suffered a torn MCL. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier will give an update on the injury during his weekly press conference Monday afternoon.

Peterson recently missed three games due to a high ankle sprain before returning in Week 15. Even though the Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, Peterson said he doesn't regret coming back to play in the last two games.

"No, not at all, I felt like I was healthy enough to go and be productive," he said. "And you guys [saw], in the first half I was being productive. I felt good coming out in the second half, I just had more energy, and I was just ready to really get things going. But unfortunately it was cut short on the first play."

Peterson will eventually need to undergo surgery followed by a lengthy rehabilitation. It's likely that he will not be ready to take the field by the beginning of the 2012 season, and only time will tell if he'll ever regain his trademark explosiveness. Peterson signed a seven-year, $100 million contract, which includes $36 million in guaranteed money, this past September.

For reaction and updates on Peterson's injury status, visit Vikings blog Daily Norseman.

Adrian Peterson Injury: Torn ACL, MCL Reportedly Confirmed By MRI

Though the Minnesota Vikings were calling Adrian Peterson's injury a "knee sprain" on Saturday afternoon, the team's worst fears were reportedly confirmed upon further examination. Peterson reportedly suffered a torn ACL, an injury confirmed by an MRI late Saturday night. Peterson went down during the Vikings' 33-26 win over the Washington Redskins, with his knee bending in gruesome fashion.

The report comes from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

N MRI this evening revealed that Vikings running back Adrian Peterson suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 25, 2011

ESPN's Josina Anderson added that Peterson tore both his ACL and MCL, making the injury even worse.

With just one game remaining in the 2011 season and the Vikings way out of contention, the short-term impact of Peterson's injury isn't the issue here. However, after suffering such a devastating knee injury, it's unclear how Peterson will respond as he works to rehab through the summer and, perhaps, into next season. Facing major reconstructive surgery, Peterson has a long road ahead to recover from an injury that could significantly alter his career going forward.

For reaction and updates on Peterson's injury status, visit Vikings blog Daily Norseman.

Adrian Peterson Injury Update: Vikings Fear Torn ACL, According To Report

The Minnesota Vikings have been saying for hours that the gruesome knee injury suffered by All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson is a sprain, pending further evaluation when the team returns to Minneapolis. However, rumblings are surfacing, courtesy of FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, that the Vikings' worst fears are a reality: Peterson has a torn ACL, it seems.

Anyone who saw the injury and Peterson's reaction — one of sudden and intense pain — was suspicious of the sprain diagnosis, because it just looked too serious not to be something more. If Glazer's sources are to be believed, than a nation of armchair doctors are vindicated.

Obviously, after their victory over the Redskins leaves the Vikings' record at 3-12, this season is not a concern for Vikings fans. The timetable for return from an ACL tear is usually around a year, so if that is indeed the injury, Peterson's status for the beginning of the 2012 season has been cast into doubt.

For reaction and updates on Peterson's injury status, visit Vikings blog Daily Norseman.

Adrian Peterson Injury: Vikings Announce Sprained Knee, Pending Further Tests

Adrian Peterson has at least a sprained knee the Minnesota Vikings announced on Saturday. The running back's availability this season remains in doubt and considering the Vikings in contention for the worst record in the NFL, it would make little sense for him to play in their final game.

Frazier: sprained knee for Peterson. Will evaluate further in Minnesota

— Pioneer Press (@VikingsNow) December 24, 2011

Peterson was hurt in a pretty gruesome looking play during Saturday's win over the Washington Redskins. His left leg got caught in the turf and it twisted in an entirely unnatural way. He was immediately removed from the field. The only good news is that it looks unlikely to be a career-threatening injury, although it appeared much more serious when it happened live.

Peterson was already dealing with an ankle injury that had cost him several weeks, but he was having a decent game at the time of the injury. He had rushed for 38 yards and scored a touchdown at the time of the injury.

For more the latest updates on this injury be sure to follow this StoryStream. For more on Peterson's injury, check out Vikings blog Daily Norseman.

Adrian Peterson Injury: Vikings RB Leaves Game After Nasty Hit On Knee

Adrian Peterson's 2011, already marred by an ankle injury, has likely been ended in Week 16 by a gruesome knee injury.