Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Had 'Successful' Surgery Thursday

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had knee surgery Thursday morning.

In a statement, the team said that, "Adrian Peterson had a successful lateral meniscus repair this morning. The surgery was performed by team physician Chris Larson at Twin Cities Orthopedics. There were no additional injuries or issues noted in or surrounding the knee joint during the surgical procedure. The rehabilitation process will begin immediately."

The team has not released a timetable for his return.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer confirmed Wednesday that Peterson would undergo surgery as a result a meniscus tear he suffered in his right knee during Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers.

ESPN's Josina Anderson said that Peterson has a "bucket handle tear" which typically takes about three to four months to heal, and can sometimes take up to six months.

Zimmer said he doesn't know how long Peterson will be out.

The Vikings (2-0) defeated the Packers (1-1) in the opening game at U.S Bank Stadium Sunday night, 17-14.

The Vikings were unable to secure the win without suffering a significant injury, however. Peterson injured his right knee in the third quarter while being tackled.

Peterson couldn't put weight on his right leg and hobbled off the field with the help of two athletic trainers holding him up.

ESPN reported that Peterson was given multiple options about how to treat his injury before he opted for the surgery.

Peterson tore both his ACL and MCL in 2011. He rushed for 2,097 yards in the following 2012 regular season.

The Vikings will rely on Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon to fill in for Peterson in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.

Asiata and McKinnon combined for 1,108 yards in 2014 while Peterson missed 15 games as a result of punishment from the NFL. Zimmer said McKinnon will start.

Zimmer also announced Wednesday that the team signed veteran running back Ronnie Hillman.

Hillman, a third-round draft pick by Denver in 2012, has played in 48 games and made 15 starts. He totaled 452 rushes for 1,842 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Broncos.

Hillman’s top season was 2015 when he rushed 207 times for 863 yards and seven scores. He was released by Denver earlier this month.

The Vikings have their designated-to-return option for one player placed on injured reserve after the roster reduction to 53, according to a news release from the team.

Zimmer first told KFAN's Dan Barreiro in an interview Monday that Peterson suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Zimmer said he was not ruling Peterson out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, but ESPN's Ed Werder reported Wednesday morning that the Vikings were planning to play without him Sunday.

Image: Mike Morbeck via Flickr /Creative Commons