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LANDOVER, Md. -- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was scheduled for an MRI late Saturday after taking a direct hit to his left knee in a 33-26 win over the Washington Redskins.
Sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen the Vikings' medical staff feared the worst -- a torn ACL -- going into an MRI.
Coach Leslie Frazier said Peterson had a sprained knee and would be evaluated after the team returned to Minnesota.
"It's such a special person that you want to be right before you prognosticate on what might be," Frazier said.
Peterson said he knew "it was something bad" the moment he was hit and that he was in "severe pain" as he lay on the field. He was hurt when tackled by Redskins safety DeJon Gomes at the end of a 3-yard gain on the first offensive play of the second half.
"Anytime you take a blow to the knee like that, you're concerned about the ACL, MCL," Peterson said as he stood on crutches in the locker room. "I'm trying to stay as positive as I can."
A torn ACL, the worst case scenario, would likely sideline Peterson for some nine months and make it difficult for him to return for the start of next season.
On the play after Peterson was hurt, Minnesota's Christian Ponder suffered a head injury when sacked by Adam Carriker and London Fletcher. Ponder remained in the game for one more play -- a third-down incomplete pass -- before heading to the locker room.
Frazier said Ponder had "concussion-like symptoms." The coach said he's uncertain whether the quarterback will play in next week's season finale against the Chicago Bears.
"We'll have to weigh it when we get back," Frazier said, "and I'll follow the doctor's lead."
Peterson had 12 carries for 38 yards when he left. He also had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Ponder completed 8 of 13 passes for 68 yards. He was replaced by Joe Webb, who scored on a 9-yard run on the next series to give the Vikings the lead.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen the Vikings' medical staff feared the worst -- a torn ACL -- going into an MRI.
Coach Leslie Frazier said Peterson had a sprained knee and would be evaluated after the team returned to Minnesota.
"It's such a special person that you want to be right before you prognosticate on what might be," Frazier said.
Peterson said he knew "it was something bad" the moment he was hit and that he was in "severe pain" as he lay on the field. He was hurt when tackled by Redskins safety DeJon Gomes at the end of a 3-yard gain on the first offensive play of the second half.
"Anytime you take a blow to the knee like that, you're concerned about the ACL, MCL," Peterson said as he stood on crutches in the locker room. "I'm trying to stay as positive as I can."
A torn ACL, the worst case scenario, would likely sideline Peterson for some nine months and make it difficult for him to return for the start of next season.
On the play after Peterson was hurt, Minnesota's Christian Ponder suffered a head injury when sacked by Adam Carriker and London Fletcher. Ponder remained in the game for one more play -- a third-down incomplete pass -- before heading to the locker room.
Frazier said Ponder had "concussion-like symptoms." The coach said he's uncertain whether the quarterback will play in next week's season finale against the Chicago Bears.
"We'll have to weigh it when we get back," Frazier said, "and I'll follow the doctor's lead."
Peterson had 12 carries for 38 yards when he left. He also had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Ponder completed 8 of 13 passes for 68 yards. He was replaced by Joe Webb, who scored on a 9-yard run on the next series to give the Vikings the lead.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Update
JosinaAnderson: Source just confirmed both Adrian Peterson's MCL and ACL are torn.
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