With an eye on the playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings are aiming to keep momentum moving in the right direction. The team is coming off a big win over the Chicago Bears as they appeared to be clicking on offense in Week 15. With a playoff berth a very real possibility this year, injuries are what could hurt that as Adrian Peterson suffered a sprained ankle in the win over the Bears.
According to ESPN's Ben Goessling, Peterson will undergo an MRI after suffering a sprained left ankle in the game against Chicago. Goessling reports that he does not believe the issue is significant and the running back could easily return for the game against the New York Giants in Week 16, but the Vikings will be cautious moving forward. The ankle injury looked bad when it originally happed in the second quarter of the game, but the running back was able to return in the second half carrying the ball just six times. Peterson admits he should be alright.
"You could call it an alligator tackle; they snap on, and they twist," Peterson said, via ESPN.com. "A guy rolled me up. I came in and was sitting around for a little bit. They taped it up, and it got a little stiff on me. When I got out and was able to move around and get the muscles and tendons back firing, it got to a point where I was OK and I could go."
Peterson finished the day with 63 yards off 18 carries while Jerick McKinnon had a big game with 10 yards on the ground and another 76 yards through the air with one touchdown. If Peterson were unable to play against the Giants, McKinnon would get the start as Matt Asiata helped in the backup role. He gained just 28 yards on five carries in Week 15 while the run game struggled against the Bears' defensive front. Facing the Giants will not be any easier.
With quarterback Teddy Bridgewater improving at this point in the season, the Vikings can get away with a quiet run game for a week if Peterson needs to miss a matchup. The quarterback tossed four touchdowns while running for another. Stefon Diggs was the major benefactor of those scores as he found the endzone twice. The quarterback has one of his best games which has the rest of the team feeling like the playoffs could be good for them this year. Peterson made sure to give Bridgewater all the credit after the game.
I think the sky's the limit for us," Peterson said, via ESPN.com. "If we keep performing with a balanced offense, the sky's the limit. We can go all the way, I think. These past two weeks I've seen a different look in his eyes. I really don't have to say much to him. I say what I normally say to him -- just play fast and play smart -- but I see a look in his eyes and I know he's good and he's ready to go."
