Adrian Peterson Injury: Running Back Has Meniscus Damage As Well, Team Hoping For 2012 Return

Read More: Adrian Peterson (RB - MIN), Minnesota Vikings

Another day and another injury confirmed for Minnesota Vikings running back, Adrian Peterson. ESPN is reporting that head athletic trainer for the Vikings, Eric Sugarman, spoke to the media and confirmed that "some injury" was suffered to both the medial and lateral meniscus, on top of the aforementioned ligament damage.

Sugarman confirmed reports that Peterson tore the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on top of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), injuries that could range anywhere between seven to 11 months to heal. The meniscus damage complicates things, but the bulk of the recovery still lies on the ACL and MCL injuries.

The report goes on to suggest that the Vikings are hopeful about having Peterson back for the first game of the 2012 season. Sugarman preached caution to the media, and that timetables set forth by other players with similar injuries will not be considered. This is a unique case to him, the Vikings and Peterson himself, and they aren't ruling out either a shorter or longer recovery than what is generally the norm.

Peterson could have surgery within the next ten days, depending on when the swelling on the injury goes down.