The Vikings Super Bowl ticket doesn’t get punched without Adrian Peterson and Tarvaris Jackson. Sure, it’s speculative to whisper the words Super Bowl with a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2004 but the Vikings have dramatically improved their talent the last couple of years and could be ready to roll deep into the playoffs. No dice, though, if Peterson, the wondrous rookie running back last year, and Jackson, the third year quarterback, are on the injury list and not on the field.
The right knee injury Jackson suffered in last Saturday’s preseason game in Baltimore is enough to stir up Purple worry warts. Jackson, designated this year as the team’s No. 1 quarterback despite two seasons of on and off effectiveness, was impressive in the team’s opening preseason game and second game against Baltimore playing briefly in each. Then he took a hit from two Ravens’ tacklers and suffered the fifth injury during his Vikings’ career.
Jackson had surgery on his right knee in 2006. Last season he had head, finger and groin injuries. He missed four games when he otherwise would have started, presumably slowing his maturation process as an NFL quarterback.
The latest injury, a strained ligament, isn’t expected to sideline him for long. But Jackson needs to play, developing his skills at throwing and directing the offense. The injury is a setback and combined with past health problems raises the question of whether Jackson is one of those unfortunate players who is frequently injured.
The problem, too, isn’t just frequency of being hurt but the possibility of suffering one devastating injury that is career threatening. The Purple worry warts may start holding their collective breaths every game when they watch Jackson and Peterson.
Peterson would have won the NFL rushing title last season except for a knee injury. He gained 1,341 yards but missed two games. Not only that, but his five game numbers after the injury, 260 total yards and a 3.8 average per carry, were less impressive than his initial nine game total of 1,081 and 6.4.
In college at Oklahoma Peterson missed playing time because of his much publicized ankle and collarbone injuries. And for all his marvelous gifts, including vision, speed, and strength, he’s been labeled a guy who runs too straight up and down, making him more susceptible to injury.
A healthy Peterson is right there with LaDainian Tomlinson (last season’s top NFL rusher) as the best runner in the league. A healthy Jackson, based on his athletic skills and the assumption that quarterbacks are much improved by a third season, looks like a quarterback ready to give the Vikings a passing game to balance the run.
There’s no Super Bowl train leaving the station without Peterson and Jackson.