Fackrell sorry to see Peterson injury

GREEN BAY – Kyler Fackrell thought it was a “normal” tackle, nothing more. He slid down the line of scrimmage Sunday night, tracking Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Two yards downfield, Fackrell piggybacked onto Peterson. The rookie outside linebacker wrapped around Peterson's right leg, dragging him to the ground. Never once, Fackrell said, did he hear a pop or scream or anything that would indicate Peterson was in pain.

“I didn’t think anything of it,” Fackrell said of the third-quarter play. “It just seemed like a normal tackle, but then I went back and saw that his foot kind of got caught in the ground.”

The Vikings announced Thursday that Peterson underwent surgery to repair torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. No timetable was given for his return.

Recovery from a meniscus repair varies, but can take up to three to four months, and possibly as long as six. On that timetable, Peterson's season could be over.

Fackrell was surprised Peterson’s injury was so severe.

“I didn’t even know he was hurt,” Fackrell said, “until I got up and went back to – not the huddle – but went back and got ready for the next play, and he was still on the ground.

“You never want to hear stuff like that.”

Fackrell said he has monitored the medical reports closely. He hopes Peterson can return soon, despite the severity of his diagnosis.

“I was sorry to hear it,” Fackrell said. “Just praying for him. I heard it’s a meniscus. I guess an ACL would’ve been worse. So I’m glad it’s not an ACL.

“I’m just hoping he can get back on the field as soon as possible.”

rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood