Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Has Knee Injury In 17-14 Win Over Packers

Adrian Peterson limped off the field at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in the third quarter of the Minnesota Vikings‘ 17-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers Sunday night after sustaining a right knee injury.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Has Knee Injury In 17-14 Win Over Packers

Although it’s not yet clear exactly how serious the Vikings running back’s injury is, Peterson will likely miss at least one week.

The 31-year-old’s leg was wrapped in a giant black knee brace, and when he walked out of the stadium Sunday, he was on crutches.

Peterson finished with 19 yards on 12 carries in quarterback Sam Bradford’s debut with Minnesota. Bradford completed 22 of 31 passes for 286 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers, just 15 days after he arrived in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“He can throw the ball,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “He’s got some toughness about him, and this isn’t his first rodeo.”

If Peterson’s injury turns out to be serious, Minnesota will likely turn to Matt Asiata or Jerick McKinnon to start at running back.

After Peterson went down, Asiata took most of the carries Sunday night. (six carries, 14 yards). Nevertheless, that probably won’t continue. The fifth-year back is as strong as a brick, which means he will likely be the Vikings’ go-to guy in goal-line and short-yardage situations.

Meanwhile, McKinnon– who was a rookie in 2014– carried the ball 113 times during Peterson’s absence. He only carried the ball twice against Green Bay.

Zimmer said Peterson is scheduled to have an MRI Monday morning and that the team isn’t expecting the injury to be overly serious.

Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs caught nine passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota (2-0) held the Packers (1-1) to 65 total yards in the first half, withstanding an early touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson on a drive aided by two penalties from cornerback Terence Newman. 

“They didn’t win the division last year by accident. You do have to give them their credit,” said Mike Daniels, who had one of Green Bay’s four sacks.

Cornerback Trae Waynes, who had two penalties himself, intercepted Rodgers’ pass in Vikings territory with 1:30 remaining to secure the victory. The previous drive was cut short by a strip sack by Brian Robison, when Shamar Stephen recovered at the Minnesota 44 with 6:53 left.

Rodgers, who ran for 29 yards and a touchdown, finished 12 for 21 for 154 yards in the second half, although Bradford was the stronger quarterback of the evening.

Bradford found Diggs for a 4-yard completion on fourth-and-1 from the 18. He then hit Kyle Rudolph for an 8-yard touchdown pass three plays later.

“When quarterbacks and receivers are on time, they’re very tough to stop,” said Packers cornerback Damarious Randall, who was matched up with Diggs for most of the game.

Bradford was hit hard on his non-throwing had by Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews while following through on a pass.

The Vikings aggressively traded two premium draft picks including next year’s first-rounder to Philadelphia to fetch Bradford after quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went down with a huge left knee injury. Minnesota also boldly shunned a field goal attempt early in the second quarter.

Bradford praised his offense following the game.

“These guys have had my back from day one,” Bradford said.

The Vikings will next visit the Carolina Panthers on Sunday for Week 3, while the Packers will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 18, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)