Vikings' Star Running Back Peterson Out For Months

(NewsCore) - Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson could be out of action until sometime next season after tearing the anterior crucicate ligament in his left knee in a win against the Washington Redskins on Saturday, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.

After taking a hand off from quarterback Christian Ponder in the first play of the second half, Peterson was crunched in the left leg by Redskins' safety DeJon Gomes.

An MRI scan conducted late Saturday night confirmed the tear, which could keep the 26-year-old out of action until after the start of next season.

Peterson knew the injury was bad before he even had the scan.

"Oh Lord," he said after the game. "I just knew something bad happened."

The four-time Pro Bowler, who recently signed a $100 million contract to play with the Vikings for the next seven years, was already battling through an injury-plagued season after suffering a high ankle sprain in week 10 against Atlanta.

In 11 games this season, Peterson has rushed for 932 yards -- meaning this will be the first season that he does not notch up the 1,000 yard tally since he entered the league in 2007.

Read more: Minnesota Star Tribune