Vikings Peterson Opts For Surgery – Could Be Out 3-4 Months

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is planning to have surgery Thursday morning to repair his torn meniscus.

The bad news: This is the second franchise player the Vikings could lose for the 2016 season due to a gruesome knee injury as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater tore multiple knee ligaments on Aug. 30, and the team started the season with two different quarterbacks after trading for Bradford on Sept. 3.

The good news: The Vikings are still 2-0 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC North Division.

Peterson, who suffered the injury Sunday night, says he has a "bucket handle tear" of the meniscus, which typically has a recovery time of three to four months.

"(I'm) doing it with faith and optimism," Peterson told ESPN of the procedure.

Dr. James Andrews, who performed extensive surgery on Peterson's knee in 2011, will be the man in charge this go-round as well.

The injury in question happened during a run in the third quarter against Green Bay, where it first appeared Peterson's right ankle was caught under a Packers lineman.  He required the assistance of several athletic trainers to get off the field as the crowd fell silent seeing their All-Pro running back retreating to the locker room for treatment.

Time will certainly tell if this injury is the beginning of the end of Peterson's career as a Minnesota Viking, as he's due $17 million next season.  Unless the Vikings make a deep playoff run, we may have seen the last of Adrian in purple.

UPDATE: Left guard Matt Kalil has been placed on season-ending injured reserve for issues with his hip.  The team has also signed 25-year-old running back Ronnie Hillman.

Hillman was a member of the Broncos the past 4 seasons, and he rushed for 863 yards for Denver last season.