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| Adrian Peterson |
An MRI showed rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament after the team returned to Minnesota.
Peterson said he knew "something was wrong" when he was beaten and was in "severe pain" in the field. He was injured when he was tackled by Dejon Gomez of the Redskins at the end of a gain of 3 yards in the first offensive play of the second half.
"Every time I get hit in the knee like that, you're worried about the ACL, MCL," Peterson said when he was on crutches in the locker room. "I'm trying to stay as positive as I can."
Lateral ligament rupture is likely to leave Peterson out for about nine months, making it difficult to return for the start of next season.
On the play after he injured Peterson, Christian Ponder, quarterback, suffered a head injury after being beaten by Adam Carriker and London Fletcher. Ponder remained in the game one more play - an incompletion on third down - before heading to the locker room.
Coach Leslie Frazier said Ponder had "a concussion, the symptoms." The coach said he is uncertain whether the quarterback will play in the season finale next week against the Chicago Bears.
"We'll have to see what happens when we get back," said Frazier, "and I will follow the example of the doctor."
Peterson had 12 carries for 38 yards when he left. He also had a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Ponder completed 8 of 13 passes for 68 yards. He was replaced by Joe Webb, who scored on a 9-yard on the next series to give the Vikings the lead.
