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Come Fan with UsThursday, August 6, 2026

Adrian Peterson injury: Vikings RB has sports hernia surgery

Minnesota Vikings running back and NFL MVP Adrian Peterson underwent successful surgery to repair a sports hernia that he played through at the end of the season.

USA TODAY Sports

As if Adrian Peterson's 2012 campaign could get any more impressive, he underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a sports hernia he played through during the last several weeks of the season. Peterson came off reconstructive knee surgery to rush for 2,097 yards, lead the Vikings to the playoffs and win the MVP award. Turns out he did all that with a sports hernia as well.

For more on the Vikings, visit Daily Norseman

Peterson was first listed with an abdominal injury prior to the Vikings Week 15 game against the St. Louis Rams. He rushed for 212 yards against the Rams, 86 against the Texans, and 199 against the Packers to close out the season. In the playoffs, despite playing without starting quarterback Christian Ponder, Peterson ran for 99 yards. A sports hernia can often sideline a player for multiple weeks, but Peterson played through the pain at a higher level than anyone else in the league. Peterson even played with the injury in the Pro Bowl, an event many players will skip for any reason.

In a press release the Vikings said, “We expect a speedy recovery with no long-term concerns.” Considering he came back from a torn ACL looking better than ever, that’s a safe bet.

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