LANDOVER, MD. — In the NFL, a league filled with violence and severe injuries, it takes a lot to make people wince. When Adrian Peterson went down on Saturday, even players recoiled.
Peterson, the Vikings' star running back, took a handoff on Saturday. As he hit the hole, Redskins safety DeJon Gomes smashed into Peterson's left knee from the side. There was little doubt about the severity of the injury, and late Saturday the Vikings announced that an MRI revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Peterson, known for his toughness, writhed on the ground, his left leg limp. Redskins players removed their helmets and knelt. People in the press box recoiled while watching the replay.
"I just knew it was something bad," Peterson said later, in the locker room, while leaning on crutches.
Peterson underwent an X-ray on Saturday at FedEx Field, ruling out the possibility of broken bones, but later the MRI showed the torn ACL. It's likely to require surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation that could affect the beginning of the 2012 season. Coach Leslie Frazier will discuss the injury during a news conference Sunday.
"You take a blow to the knee like that, you're concerned about the ACL and the MCL, those ligaments, mainly," Peterson said just after the game. "I'm just trying to stay positive as I can."
Peterson said the injury was "very severe, painwise."
He said he had no regrets, playing in what was essentially a meaningless game. In September, Peterson signed a seven-year contract worth $100 million. At 26, he is a franchise player who plays a position known for wearing out most stars by the age of 30.
"Not at all," he said when asked if he questioned whether he should have played. "I felt like I was healthy enough to go and be productive."
Peterson missed three games because of a high ankle sprain before returning last week, when he carried 10 times for 60 yards against New Orleans. Saturday, he rushed 12 times for 38 yards and one touchdown before his injury.
He finishes the season with 970 rushing yards, 30 shy of reaching 1,000 yards for the fifth time in his five NFL seasons.
"I felt good coming out the second half, man," he said. "I just had more energy and I was ready to really get things going. But, unfortunately, it was cut short on the first play."
The play was remindful of a hit that Packers cornerback Al Harris made on Peterson during his rookie season. In that case, Harris appeared to target Peterson's knee. "I do remember that one," Peterson said. "Thank God my knee wasn't planted. Unfortunately, my knee was planted on this one."
Backup running back Toby Gerhart rushed 11 times for 109 yards, including a 67-yard run.