Adrian Peterson Starting Rehabilitation Process for ACL/MCL Injury

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was in extreme pain for the week following a surgery to reconstruct the ACL and repair the MCL in his left knee, which was injured during the Vikings game against the Washington Redskins on Week 16 of the 2011 NFL season. 

Luckily, that pain seems to have somewhat subsided, as Peterson can now walk and has, therefore, begun to rehab his knee. 

Peterson, who is looking to reclaim his spot as one of the best running backs in the league, spoke to the media on Friday. 

"I feel like I'm going to come back better than before," he said. 

"I know people might laugh at that or think otherwise, but you know what? It doesn't matter what they think or how they feel about it. The only thing that matters is how I feel about it and what I believe."

Peterson, who has previously been nominated to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams four times, has begun working on a regimented rehab program that was created by the Vikings that could take at least eight months.  

On Friday, he walked for the first time without crutches and he hopes to soon begin jogging in a pool. 

Nevertheless, Peterson has vowed to return for the start of the 2012 season. 

"I haven't thought about that [the possibility of not being back at full strength] once. I've been through a lot in life. I call out to a higher power, and I put my faith in Him and I know that anything I put my mind to, I will be able to accomplish."