It always sucks to see a player get hurt like this.  It hurt even more when it's one of the best running backs of my time to watch and enjoy.  Peterson is tough as nails and I hold out hope that he will return as strong as ever.

Now groganqb, DeSean Jackson did not hold out because of fear of injury.  He wanted to get a fat paycheck and was mad that Nnamdi, Rodgers-Cromartie, and Vick all got paid and he did not.  That is why he held out.  It had nothing to do with a fear of getting hurt. When he ended his holdout, the season hadn't yet started and the Eagles were still being picked to go the Super Bowl.  He did come back and did not even try hard half the time.  But it was all about the money and his foolish actions had nothing to do with AP,  That being said, AP should have been nowhere near a field the rest of the season. 

You are stupid. DeSean Jackson stated his number one priority was to stay healthy, and people, probably people like you, gave him shit for it. CJ1k and DeSean Jackson have the right idea. The NFL and none of the fans give a shit about these guy's lives, so why should any of them care about the billionaire owners and the peon fans? The billionaires just want to maximize profits, and the minimum wage fans are just stupid and jealous.

You honestly think these players don't understand they are one injury away from their careers beind ended? They are acutely aware and it factors into what they do. There are a lot of marginal athletes that could possibly have a shot at making an NFL roster or going to Arena/Canadian Football that don't, and instead get regular jobs. That's because there is a risk/reward and until you get to the highest possible levels it isn't worth it. D-Jax playstyle leaves him highly susceptible to injury. This year he toned it down and he hasn't had any big injuries, just some minor ones. The Eagles probably still won't pay him so it will backfire on him, but he got another year of his contract done, is relatively healthy, and maybe some other team will pay him. If you have no contract, you should sandbag all year and try and stay healthy. Then sign the biggest contract you can, and negotiate for no franchise tag. And if your original team franchises you? Just pull the same thing again until they realize all they will get is maybe the last 4 games of the season out of you at full speed.

What is sad is his best days are behind him.  Running backs do not usually recover 100% from ACL tears, especially those who have been in the league a few years.  He is not in college anymore when he has not taken the pounding of the NFL.  He has both an ACL and MCL torn, so this is very serious.  I hope he can return to his old level, but I just do not see it.  McGahee was never the same after he tore his.  He could have been something special and that injury in the NAtional title game prevented that.  He certainly won't have the same explosiveness, and his speed was such a big part of his game.  He was playing hurt to begin with and because his ankle was injured, that was just more pressure on his knees.  His team was just playing out the stretch and he should not have been risking himself in such a meaningless game.  He was the whole offense.  Now, he will likely never be at that level again and their other threat on offense, Harvin, is always in and out of the lineup.  But Ponder sure does not scare anyone and the Packers, Lions, and Bears (especially when Cutler gets back) are all better than the Vikes.  It is going to be a long next few years and this only made it worse.

Now groganqb, DeSean Jackson did not hold out because of fear of injury.  He wanted to get a fat paycheck and was mad that Nnamdi, Rodgers-Cromartie, and Vick all got paid and he did not.  That is why he held out.  It had nothing to do with a fear of getting hurt. When he ended his holdout, the season hadn't yet started and the Eagles were still being picked to go the Super Bowl.  He did come back and did not even try hard half the time.  But it was all about the money and his foolish actions had nothing to do with AP,  That being said, AP should have been nowhere near a field the rest of the season. 

The Vikings brought in Veterans to surround Favre?  Do you know how stupid you sound.  Name one veteran the Vikings "brought in" to surround Favre.  Every starter was already there.  The Vikings had just won the Division the year before and had everything in place BUT a good veteran QB.   They signed Favre without giving up any players or draft picks.  They were one play away from the Super Bowl.  There really aren't many old veterans on the team other than Hutchinson, KWilliams, and EJ Henderson, actually the Vikings are very young.  They will turn this around, or do you so quickly forget your beloved Packers 4-12 season in 2005 and your wonderful 6-10 record in 2008?   Teams peak and have to rebuild.

Now you see why guys like DeSean Jackson want to hold out before they get their first big payday. Adrian Peterson could come back from surgery solid, or he could be just a fair to average RB next year. If he plays.

Having said that, if Frazier really played Peterson to protect his head coaching job, or because he was persuaded by AP to play him against the best interests of the team, he shouldn't be back next year.

As much as i hate to say this...(but i love watching AP play) but this is the beginning...of the end of AP. As much of a beast as this guy is, he has taken a beating. Seeing 8 in the box, always breaking through takles, finishing runs and never bailing out. Peterson most liking will be out for the first few weeks of the 2012 season, if not longer. But he is now going to be considered injury prone. He might have another few years (3-4) but i really dont think (ecspecially playing for the vikings) he will be an elite option anymore. No more as a top 3 RB. Cmon...think... With this injury and the system he plays in(look at the vikings) he will fall behind the likes of Foster, Rice, McCoy, Forte, and maybe a few others. Its proven...sad teams ruin great runningbacks. Peterson is just another victim. Look at Barry Sanders for prime example. So many other runningbacks....and now the Vikings are the latest to ruin greatness. Vikings will be sad for years to come...but whats new ?!?!?!

Congrats on a great season both Packers and Lions fans. Our time will not be 2012, but expect us back on top soon.

I hate to break it to you, but you will not be out of last place for years and years to come. Your team lacks EVERYTHING. It will take years to get anywhere close to where you were in 2009.

Absolutely... it definitely changes your draft strategy. Unless he gets back to where he was before this injury, Peterson (playing for a bad team), may be at best a high-end No.2 RB in fantasy next year. Having him on at least one fantasy team the last 3 years, I would not target him in the first 3 or 4 rounds next season. This is bad news all-around. Hopefully his best days aren't behind him, but that looks to be the case right now unless time proves otherwise.