Vikings star Peterson pushes up surgery date

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson remains in "severe" pain four days after taking a hit to the outside of his left knee, he said on Wednesday. Because of that pain, Peterson convinced renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews to move up the surgery date from next Tuesday to this Friday after the hit he took in the third quarter of last Saturday's game against the Washington Redskins left him with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, torn medial collateral ligament and damage to the medial and lateral meniscus. With no damage to the surrounding cartilage, the Vikings expect an eight- to nine-month recovery period and are hoping Peterson can return for the start of the 2012 season, according to head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman. "We expect most people to recover from this injury in eight to nine months, and instead of comparing Adrian to any other player at any level that's had an anterior cruciate ligament and they happen every day I would really like Adrian to stand on his own merit because Adrian, I feel, is very unique," Sugarman said on Monday when explaining the injury. "If there's anyone who's going to be able to recover from this injury, it's Adrian Peterson. You may ask why. It's because Adrian has a great work ethic. "Adrian has the DNA to heal quickly, which he has shown in the past. He certainly will have the desire and the mental toughness to be able to get through the rehab process, which will take months and months, as you know. So, I think if anyone can get better quickly and safely in that time period, it would be Adrian Peterson." Peterson said he will conduct his rehab in Minnesota. Peterson had 12 carries for 38 yards when he left last Saturday's game. He also had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. It was Peterson's second game back after missing three contests because of a high ankle sprain (left). He finished this season with 970 yards rushing. For more Vikings coverage, visit the Viking Update website.