NFL: Vikings blow as Peterson suffers knee injury

Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings is carried off the field by trainers in the third quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers on September 18, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images/AFP

Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a torn meniscus is his right knee, the club confirmed on Monday.

Peterson hobbled off the field during Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers after falling awkwardly near the end of the third quarter.

The 31-year-old underwent an MRI scan which found a tear in his right meniscus, dealing a further injury blow to the Vikings, who lost star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a season-ending knee injury last month.

“He’s got a torn meniscus,” said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, who declined to put a timetable on Peterson’s possible recovery. “We’re going through the evaluation process,” he added.

Zimmer said he was confident his team would recover after what is another devastating blow to their offensive unit.

“We’re not going to be the only team in the league to have injuries. It’s just part of professional football,” Zimmer said.

“This is a pretty resilient football team. They’re tough and determined.”

Peterson, who missed almost the entire 2014 season after being accused of assaulting his four-year-old son, returned to football last year to top the single-season rushing standings.

He became only the third man over 30 to top the standings after rushing for 1,485 yards over 16 games, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.