MRI Confirms Ankle Sprain For Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson

by Christopher Gates on Nov 30, 2010 1:55 PM CST in Minnesota Vikings 2010 Season

Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. . .the best running back in the National Football League, if you're scoring at home (or even if you're all by yourself). . .had an MRI done earlier this week on the ankle he injured in the second quarter of Minnesota's victory this weekend over the Washington Redskins. Well, the results are in, and it confirms what we all thought. . .Peterson has an ankle sprain, but nothing worse than that.

According to Coach Frazier,

"Now, it's just a matter of what he can or can't do," Frazier said. Frazier indicated he believed Peterson had nothing more than a sprained ankle at his Monday news conference but said at the time the MRI was not complete.

So, Frazier was correct in his diagnosis. I'm guessing that Peterson is going to be a game-time decision on Sunday. Hopefully that decision will be that he's healthy enough to play, but after a fairly impressive showing against the Redskins, I'm more confident in Toby Gerhart's ability to carry the load than I was a week ago at this time. However, it would be nice to have both Peterson and Gerhart against a Buffalo Bills defense that is dead last in the National Football League against the run, allowing an average of a robust 167.4 yards per game on the ground.

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Sigh of relief

Good to hear that Peterson’s injury is a sprain and not something worse. Hope he will be available on Sunday.

Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin

by Skol Girl on Nov 30, 2010 2:00 PM CST reply actions

Agreed

And since Buffalo is dead last in stopping the run, this seems like the perfect time to get Gerhart some playing time.

by abba7 on Nov 30, 2010 2:05 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe he just needed more.

After the game Gerhart said that it took a few carries for him to get into a rhythm. Maybe that is why he hadn’t had a break-out game until Sunday—because he needs more carries to be effective. Well, no matter what the situation is, I’m hoping to see him build on Sunday’s success when the Vikings face the Buffalo Bills this coming Sunday.

Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin

by Skol Girl on Nov 30, 2010 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

as long as he promises to hang on to the ball...

…i agree w/ resting AD..and going w/ “the force” toby-wan-kenobe

"the following statement is true:
the preceding statement was false" - george carlin

by BranFavrenton on Nov 30, 2010 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

I have both on my fantasy team

But with the playoffs in the balance, I’d much rather start AP against the Bills’ porous run D :)

Proud contributor to Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota

by Eric J. Thompson on Nov 30, 2010 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

I agree

Let Peterson heal and let Gerhart start this week

by WVVikings on Nov 30, 2010 2:13 PM CST reply actions

Rest him...

… for a week. We can beat Buffalo without him. No point in risking it. That is, unless he is close to 100%, then play him.

In other words, I hope they are conservative about Peterson, and anyone else on this team that matters. We aren’t going to the playoffs. It would be nice to see Toby get more touches, and see what he can do, and how he might develop.

by HammeroftheGods on Nov 30, 2010 2:14 PM CST reply actions

Hope he is well by Sunday

This is one golden chance to shut that punk CJ up for good (at least for the season).

by izziefans on Nov 30, 2010 2:44 PM CST reply actions

Let's see Gerhart for a game!

Why not? The Vikings should spend the last games of this season evaluating players. This includes Toby Gerhart, Albert Young, TJ, Webb, Patrick Brown, Chris DeGeare, as well as a couple guys on the practice squad, namely WR Freddie Brown and FB Ryan D’Imperio.

Give these guys a chance to show what they can do, so after the season’s over, the front office will have a better idea how to handle the 2011 draft, which is going to be incredibly important to the future of this team.

by jimbo55403 on Nov 30, 2010 3:12 PM CST reply actions

why do that?

we still have a slim shot at the playoffs.

by mattnmics on Nov 30, 2010 3:54 PM CST up reply actions

Or...

We could keep playing to win. It seems reasonable to put your best team on the field. If Peterson is healthy, he should play; in my opinion. Pre-season is the time to evaluate players; regular season is the time to win games. The post season is a long shot, but there is a chance. Never give up, never die.

by B Rad on Nov 30, 2010 4:09 PM CST up reply actions