Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) acknowledges the fans during the closing ceremony following the game against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Lions 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson suffered from a groin injury and a foot sprain during the home stretch of the 2013 season, and the way-out-of-contention Vikings wisely overruled Peterson’s desire to play and forced him to sit out. When Peterson realized that the injuries were more severe than he initially thought, he reluctantly agreed that the Vikings made the right decision to rest him up. Both injuries were nagging and of significance, but it was the groin injury that caused him to undergo surgery this morning.
It was reported earlier today by ESPN’s Josina Anderson, who was among those reporting that Peterson would need surgery today, that Peterson’s timetable for recovery is between four and six weeks. The Vikings have officially announced that they expect Peterson to be fully recovered in six weeks, which means that Anderson’s reported timetable is right on.
Per the Vikings, the doctor who performed Peterson’s surgery is Dr. William Myers of the Vincera Institute in Philly, and the procedure was mainly to repair the adductor muscles (so that’s the “exact” nature of Peterson’s groin ailment). The operation was successful, and Peterson will undoubtedly be ready for offseason activities.
AP had another terrific year with 1,266 yards, and he averaged a whopping 90.4 yards per game despite his averages being skewed by a couple of limited performances in which he was either taken out of the game due to an injury or severely hobbled due to the injury (so three games in total). Peterson has never had a season in his seven-year career with less than double-digit rushing touchdowns, and he also had four games with at least 140 yards last season, including a 211-yard performance.