Vikings’ Peterson injures knee in loss
Adrian Peterson put away the loafers and expensive suit, folding it haphazardly in his travel bag and instead opting for sweats and sneakers.
The demure look was appropriate for the Vikings’ biggest star, who was trying for an encore of his NFL-best performance the previous week. Instead, Peterson’s day at Green Bay, Wis., ended with a painful flip, a sprained right knee and an MRI exam scheduled for today.
“I don’t expect to go out there and rush for almost 300 yards every week,” Peterson said. “You’ve got your best game one week and your worst game the next.”
It certainly seemed that way for Peterson, who ran for 45 yards and fumbled once in the Vikings’ 34-0 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, one week after rushing for 296 yards against the Chargers. He managed only three second-half touches before taking an awkward hit in the third quarter with Minnesota trailing 27-0.
After an 11-yard catch on a screen, he was hit by Packers cornerback Al Harris and went tumbling, his feet high in the air.
Peterson spent several minutes on the ground, then left the field limping with the help of trainers, who put a sleeve on his leg and watched as he jogged on the sideline. He later lobbied Vikings coach Brad Childress to let him return, though he didn’t.
Favre reaches another historic passing mark
Brett Favre joined Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks to throw for 60,000 yards in a career during the second quarter of the Packers-Vikings game.
Favre, who needed 94 yards coming into the game, found running back Vernand Morency for a short pass to the right side for 3 yards for exactly 60,000. Two plays later, he hit Donald Driver for a 19-yard gain.
Favre came in trailing Marino’s all-time mark of 61,361 by 1,456 yards, which he should reach this season.
Around the league
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Fred Taylor became the 21st player in NFL history to rush for more than 10,000 yards in his career. After getting no yards on his first two carries, Taylor scampered for 15 yards to eclipse the milestone. He finished with 16 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars’ 28-13 win over the Tennessee Titans at Nashville, Tenn. … The NFL Players Association is appealing commissioner Roger Goodell‘s decision not to reduce the season-long suspension of Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones. The union wants a hearing as soon as possible.