EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has a high ankle sprain that has put him in a walking boot this week, leaving his availability for Sunday’s game at Atlanta in question.
Coach Leslie Frazier said Monday that Peterson has a Grade 1 sprain, the least severe of the three categories, with “a little bit of” ligament damage. But Peterson will wear the boot for a few days to protect the joint and won’t try to practice until Friday to determine if he will be able to play against the Falcons.
“The good news is there’s nothing more serious than that,” Frazier said, adding: “He’ll recover from it. It’s just the amount of time that he’ll miss.”
With the Vikings long out of the playoff chase, they might be wise to sit Peterson and give him more time to heal. But Frazier said the decision on whether to play him Sunday will be “purely based on his health.”
Either way, second-year running back Toby Gerhart will probably get more carries against Atlanta.
Footnotes.
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan won’t appeal a $75,000 fine issued by the NFL for using profanity while angrily responding to a fan at halftime of New York’s recent 37-16 loss to New England.
“The commissioner’s got a tough enough job,” Ryan said. “I’m an NFL lifer. I know I represent the NFL and I know I represent the Jets, so I’m accountable for my actions.”
• Running back James Starks has a sprained knee and a sore ankle, leaving his availability in doubt for the Green Bay Packers’ game at Detroit on Thanksgiving.
• Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has no structural damage to his right forearm and elbow. Coach Mike Munchak said Hasselbeck is day to day and whether he plays against Tampa Bay on Sunday will be determined by how comfortable the veteran is throwing the ball.
• Coach Ken Whisenhunt said John Skelton will remain the starting quarterback if Kevin Kolb (foot) is forced to miss a fourth straight game when the Arizona Cardinals play at St. Louis on Sunday.
Also, the Cardinals have lost starting nose tackle Dan Williams for the remainder of the season with a broken left arm.
• Browns running back Peyton Hillis will miss his sixth consecutive game because of a hamstring injury.
• The Kansas City Chiefs placed quarterback Matt Cassel on injured reserve because of a hand injury, ending his season.
The Associated Press
