Minnesota Vikings: Time to End the Adrian Peterson Era?
By Erik Lambert
He has been the workhorse of the franchise for years, but now the Minnesota Vikings are faced with a tough decision. Is it time to move on from Adrian Peterson?
This is not a question they wanted to face. Coming into 2016 they had full expectations he’d remain one of the focal points for their offense. He’d led the league in rushing again the year before and didn’t look ready to slow down anytime soon. Then the season started and things just looked off from the start. Without Teddy Bridgewater teams were free to stack the box against him, but even so Peterson seemed to lack something.
In 31 carries he managed a paltry 50 yards. Good for a 1.6 yards per attempt average. Those are not Peterson-like numbers. Even before people could start questioning him though, he suffered a knee injury against Green Bay. After initially believing it was a torn meniscus, something manageable, Minnesota received another blow.
UPDATE: Worse than first thought for @Vikings RB Adrian Peterson - Along with a meniscus tear, his LCL is torn. (Via @AdamSchefter) #SKOL pic.twitter.com/0IWIDp1LLz
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) September 21, 2016
With Adrian Peterson having surgery tomorrow, he’s likely out until December at least. Would loom large for a potential playoff appearance.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2016
#Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, whose ACL surgery from Dr. James Andrews is the standard for recoveries, will use a different doc for this knee
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2016
More from NFL Mocks
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal: Cardinals, Falcons tank for USC QB Caleb Williams
- Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
- Fantasy Football: 5 reasons Colts QB Anthony Richardson can be a top-end option
- Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023
- 2024 NFL Draft: Hunter Haas’ Top 50 Big Board
Suffice to say Adrian Peterson has suffered a lot of damage to his knees within the past five years. Though his healing abilities are well-documented, one can’t forget he’ll be 32-years old before the start of next season. It’s not just the injury he has to contend with moving forward but also time. Combine that with some big free agency decisions the team will have in 2017 and his large contract?
The feeling must be growing that the time approaches where the Minnesota Vikings may have to pull the plug on the Peterson era. It’s not any fun to talk about, but if they’re going to do it then next year would be the time. The running back class should be loaded with starting talents even into the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
Painful as it would be, the NFL remains a business. A calm business sense in this situation says Peterson will only deteriorate moving forward. His Hall of Fame legacy is secured, but his time as a Viking may be at an end.