Minnesota Vikings fans walked away from Sunday night's win against rival Green Bay Packers with mixed emotions having watched star running back Adrian Peterson helped off the field.
There was some optimism that he wouldn't miss any time after avoiding an ACL tear, but ESPN is reporting that Peterson is set to undergo surgery Thursday to repair his torn meniscus.
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"Peterson has what is known as bucket handle tear," the report says. It also says Minnesota may be without its starting running back for as long as six months, with three to four months being the norm.
If that timetable is true it would be a significant loss for the Vikings, who also lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater before the start of the regular season due to an ACL tear and a separated knee cap.
Peterson has proven before that timetables don't necessarily mean much when it comes to his recovery, but he is now on the wrong side of 30 and lacked his signature explosiveness out of the backfield during the first two weeks of the season.
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Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata will share carries while Peterson recovers.