Peterson Injury Worse than Indicated?
Initial reports on Minnesota Vikings rookie phenom Adrian Peterson have him on the shelf for at least a week after suffering a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers. The general feeling seems to be that he will only be out of action for a couple weeks at the most. But at least one medical expert thinks the team would be doing the rookie a disservice if they don't shut him down for the rest of the season.
Dr. Johnny Benjamin, the chief of orthopedics at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Florida, told the Pioneer Press that the type of injury Peterson suffered -- which is being described as a Grade 2-plus tear of the lateral collateral ligament -- requires a minimum of six weeks to heal properly.
"It's not realistic," Dr. Benjamin the Press's Sean Jensen. "Saying it's a Grade 2-plus [tear] is the doctors trying to give coach [Brad] Childress and all the Viking faithful some hope."This situation is complicated by the fact head coach Brad Childress is already on the hot seat, and without Peterson, the Vikings aren't likely to win many more games this year. So, it could be tempting for Childress to rush the youngster back before he's really ready, which could potentially create long-term problems."But it's a torn ligament, and a torn ligament is going to take six weeks to heal. And that's for someone like a doctor or news writer, who doesn't go out there and make cuts like Adrian Peterson obviously does."
Of course, owner Zygi Wilf might be willing to give Childress a pass on this season, despite the team's struggles, if the their prize rookie is shut down for an extended period. But I'm not so sure the promise of another season with Childress running the show makes me feel a whole lot better if I'm a Vikings fan.
Either way, the Vikings' brass must make sure this injury is handled with the best interest of both Peterson and the Vikings for the long term. The club is going nowhere this year, and it would be foolish to expose any player, let alone one with such freakish talents, to further damage for the sake of going 6-10 instead of 4-12.
Photo: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images
Comments
They gotta take it easy on him. If he’s hurt you don’t mess with it. He’s simply too important to that franchise.
Absolutley AGREE! As a fan of 35 years, it is pretty evident the Vikes are going no where this year. Use the season to rest Peterson and test QBs. If you do both and develop a good potential offense for next year, it makes 4-12 much more tolerable.
Afterall, “there is always next year!”
Are ya’ll crazy?? Get his butt in there and play! He’ll be fine. Get the record! Vikings has NOONE without him. His contract is full of incentives for yards and records. He needs rookie of the year.
I’m sure there are a lot of Bears, Packers, and Lions fans who agree with you Johnny! lol
I’m a Packer fan all the way but Adrian Peterson is a dream come true to any football team. He’s a thrill to watch from wherever you stand. There’s no way he should be out there until he’s out of all danger of re-injury. He deserves the chance to play for a very long time and I wish him the BEST for many years to come.
Really good and really interesting post. I expect (and other readers maybe
) new useful posts from you!
Good luck and successes in blogging!