But then, after a hit by ‘Skins safety DeJon Gomes, Peterson fell awkwardly to the ground, proceeding to writhe around in pain on the FedEx Field turf. This feeling was not so familiar.

Both live and on replay, it looked bad. Real bad. The prognosis, which came just minutes later, was worse: A ruptured ACL and torn MCL in his left knee.

Peterson was devastated, and who could blame him? Scoring touchdowns one minute, IR’ed the next. He was also facing a lengthy recovery period, which is likely to spill over into the beginning of next season.

Now, two weeks after undergoing reconstructive surgery, AP has shed some of the initial frustration, and is focusing all of his energy on a Week 1 return.

“I’m not really stressing about anything,” Peterson said. “The goal is to, my personal goal, is to be back for the first game of the season. We’ve got this game plan that is laid out and just making sure that I’m executing it. It’s going to help me accomplish that goal.”

Vikings head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman, who accompanied Peterson in a meeting with reporters Friday, said the All-Pro running back is well on his way to making his goal a reality.

“I’ll say that the last three days have been really awesome,” Sugarman said. “He’s been riding the stationary bike, he has great motion in his knee with extension and flexion, his quadricep fires really well. Just doing everything that we would expect and then some as we move forward.”

Peterson said the knee was hurting bad in the days following the surgery, but eventually subsided. He’s since felt better, and is ready to enter Phase 4 of the rehab — jogging in a pool — next week.

The progress has Peterson encouraged, at least enough for him to make a prediction that should warm the heart of every fan in the Twin Cities area.

“I feel like I’m going to come back better than before. 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. I’ve been able to just go through the sacrifices and whatever it takes to get to that. I’ve already started that.”

Though it wouldn’t be a stunner if Peterson, one of the most physically gifted players in the NFL, indeed returned to elite form, he still has a long road ahead of him, and is almost certain to miss the team’s offseason workouts and minicamps.

The most probable outcome is Peterson beginning the 2012 campaign on the PUP list, forcing him to sit out the first six games. Yes, all you fantasy football fanatics, that means it’d be wise to look elsewhere in the first round of your drafts this summer.

However, we should have a better pulse on this situation in the coming months, when AP and his trusty trainer hit dry land for the first time.

Per the Associated Press, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson feels the Saints were purposely attempting to re-injure his left ankle, which caused him to miss the last three games, during Minnesota’s 42-20 loss on Sunday.

Even though Peterson anticipated his ankle being a target for the opposition, he says it “kind of got overboard” after cornerback Jabari Greer twisted it in a pile up, leading to a brief confrontation between the two.

Luckily, AP escaped the contest without further injury, but this has become somewhat of a disturbing trend for the Saints.

Last week, the Titans accused them of blowing a whistle from the bench area late in the game, causing confusion on the field. Tennessee receiver Nate Washington also ripped Saints safety Roman Harper for being a “dirty player.”

Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams likes to employ a physical and intense style of defense, and it’s generally pretty successful. However, both he and head coach Sean Payton would be wise to address the supposed guilty parties before Big Brother begins to keep a watchful eye out.

According to the Associated Press, the Vikes officially ruled out Adrian Peterson for Sunday’s matchup against the Falcons.

After suffering a high-ankle sprain versus the Raiders in Week 11, Peterson was in a walking boot shortly after and, despite his efforts, was unable to get a single practice in this week.

“The trouble he had was when he got up on his toes to plant or make a cut, that’s where he had trouble,” coach Leslie Frazier said Friday.

Toby Gerhart is expected to start in place of Peterson, the league’s sixth-leading rusher and co-leader in rushing touchdowns.

Being able to plant and cut are obviously paramount abilities, so it’s no surprise Frazier is having his $100 million man sit this one out. Unfortunately, this type of injury is usually a dreaded one for running backs, especially those that run as violently as Peterson.

Gerhart might have to get comfortable in the starting lineup, because A.P. returning in Week 13 will be anything but a sure thing.

During the first quarter of Sunday’s Raiders-Vikings game, running back Adrian Peterson had his left ankle bent awkwardly on a tackle, causing the All-Pro to gingerly limp off the field in obvious pain.

Peterson, who started hot, rushing for 26 yards and a score, was carted to the locker room for further examination.

Although it looked as if Peterson could move the ankle when prompted by trainers, there has been no update on his status.

Toby Gerhart took his place in the backfield as Minnesota currently trails 10-7.

UPDATE: Peterson was seen on the sideline in the second half, though without a helmet. He’s done for the afternoon. Fortunately, x-rays on the ankle came back negative, meaning he avoided a fracture or other serious injury. It appears to be a routine sprain. Feel free to exhale now, Vikings nation.

UPDATE #2: After the game, coach Leslie Frazier confirmed it’s a left ankle sprain for Peterson, who will undergo an MRI on Monday. It appears his Week 12 status won’t be in serious jeopardy.

Three days later, he’s now out of a job for the foreseeable future while facing possible time behind bars. It hasn’t been a good week for the second-year pro.

After being formally charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation on Tuesday, the Vikings suspended Cook indefinitely without pay, the Associated Press reports.

The team will look into the situation, but called his actions “very disturbing and disappointing” before choosing not to comment further.

Cook was initially arrested Saturday morning and is now being accused of strangling his girlfriend and hitting her twice in the head. After stewing in the clink, Cook was free on $40,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.

If convicted, he could be looking at three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Commissioner Roger Goodell might also choose to impose additional discipline, but may just let the Vikes keep it internal as the legal system takes its course. Either way, Minnesota’s secondary just got that much weaker.

According to ESPN 1500 Twin Cities, Cook was arrested Saturday morning on two misdemeanor domestic assault charges. He’s being held without bail at the Hennepin County Jail.

Cook will likely remain in the clink until a scheduled court appearance on Monday morning. If so, it would mean he’s obviously unavailable to play in the Vikings’ Week 7 game against the rival Packers Sunday.

“The Minnesota Vikings are aware of the incident involving Chris Cook,” the Vikings said in a statement. “We take this matter very seriously and are still gathering all the details of the incident. We will not have any further comment at this time.”

Cook’s absence would be a devastating  loss for a team that’s already expected to be without its top corner, Antoine Winfield, against Green Bay, who boasts the NFL’s top ranked offense. Now, Aaron Rodgers and Co. should have a field day against a very depleted secondary.

Although he was later acquitted for brandishing a gun in March, Cook faces possible discipline by the league for his double dose of legal issues within a nine-month span.

Following the Vikes’ 24-20 loss to the Bucs on Sunday, head coach Leslie Frazier confirmed to SI.com’s Peter King that Donovan McNabb will remain the team’s starting quarterback.

“McNabb is my guy,” Frazier stated.

In two starts this season, McNabb has thrown for just 267 yards (including a 39-yard performance in the season opener), one touchdown, and one interception. He’s completed just 55.6% of his passes and boasts a mediocre passer rating of 71.3, all the while looking very much like a player on the decline — similar to last season with the Redskins — and not the six-time Pro Bowler from years past.

It’s not all the 34-year-old’s fault, however. McNabb’s offensive line has struggled in pass protection, rarely affording him the opportunity to drop back without facing constant pressure. But let’s not make excuses; it’s his responsibility to lead the offense and put points on the board, an onus that McNabb has yet to adopt with Minnesota.

Some Vikings fans are calling for rookie Christian Ponder to take over the reigns, but that won’t happen now after Frazier just gave McNabb a vote of confidence — and bought him a few weeks as the starter.

It’s not inconceivable, though, to think Ponder may be thrust into action at some point this season if McNabb continues to falter or suffers an injury. The latter could occur as soon as next Sunday, when the Lions and their relentless defense come to town for a divisional showdown.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings signed linebacker Chad Greenway to a five-year, $40 million contract extension on Monday. The deal reportedly includes $20 million in guarantees and will keep him in purple and white through the 2015 season.

Greenway had been under contract this year for nearly $10.1 million as the team’s franchise player. He was slapped with the tag in February.

The Vikes’ first-round pick in 2006, Greenway has quietly established himself as one of the most well-rounded ‘backers in the NFL. The 28-year-old has lead Minnesota in tackles each of the last three seasons, and is as stout as one can be against the run.

All in all, he’s the quintessential 4-3 linebacker, capable of playing run or pass with relative ease.

Now that they have Greenway under control for the conceivable future, the Vikings will now set their sights on locking up running back Adrian Peterson with what is sure to be a monster pact.

• He may be staying put with his old team, but safety Roman Harper earned some serious dough while doing so. The Saints re-signed Harper to a four-year, $28.5 million deal that includes $16 million in guarantees. The sixth-year vet had a very solid 2010 campaign, recording 98 tackles, three sacks, six forced fumbles, and one interception. Harper is a key member of the Saints’ defensive backfield and should continue to thrive in Gregg Williams’ defense.

• The Raiders and offensive tackle Jared Gaither reached an agreement on an undisclosed contract. The former Raven will provide a big boost to an Oakland offensive line that recently watched Robert Gallery follow ex-coach Tom Cable to Seattle. Gaither missed all of last season with a back injury, but flashes elite talent when healthy. He should instantly step into a starting position, provided that he’s fully healthy.

• After releasing linebacker Channing Crowder, the Dolphins signed ex-Charger linebacker Kevin Burnett to a four-year, $21 million contract ($9.8 million guaranteed). While he’s not a household name, Burnett played very well for the Bolts in recent years, both as a run-stopper and in pass coverage. Signed exclusively as Crowder’s replacement, Burnett will line up at inside ‘backer for the Fish.

• Although he’s not on the same level as Santonio Holmes or Sidney Rice, Mike Sims-Walker landed himself a new contract: a one-year pact with the Rams. In fact, he was so excited that he broke the news himself. St. Louis was expected to acquire a wideout, and hope they can catch lighting in a bottle with the 27-year-old. He’ll get to prove his worth to a team that desperately needed a receiver, but will have to avoid injury for that to happen. That could be a tough task for a player who barely saw the field last season.

• Confirming what most have already presumed, Vikings coach Leslie Frasier reiterated that recently-acquired quarterback Donovan McNabb will be the team’s starter, “barring some unforeseen circumstance.” McNabb was dealt to Minnesota in a trade on Wednesday and will get the nod this season over rookie Christian Ponder and second-year man Joe Webb. The only way Ponder or Webb get their shot would be if McNabb gets injured or looks totally ineffective. Based on his play from the last few seasons, that should not be ruled out at all.

So that’s that. The bigger signings and transactions were already covered in greater detail; I just wanted to make sure these other tidbits didn’t get lost in the frenzied fray of free agency. There are still a few major prospects left on the open market — including Braylon Edwards and Cullen Jenkins — so make sure to stay tuned on Saturday for more news as it breaks.

Despite a minor holdup, the Vikings and Redskins have completed a trade that sends quarterback Donovan McNabb to Minnesota in exchange for a 2012 sixth-round draft pick and conditional sixth-round selection in 2013.

This should have been finalized hours ago, but McNabb reportedly needed his contract reworked and the $10 million bonus from last season removed before the Vikes signed off on the deal.

Now that he’s officially a Viking, McNabb figures to start the season atop the depth chart, while rookie Christian Ponder holds a clipboard and learns from a seasoned veteran. There’s no guarantee that McNabb will recapture his form of years past; in fact, it’s nearly an improbability.

But Ponder, from all accounts, was not going to be up to speed in time to make a positive impact this season. If he can stay healthy and improve his play, McNabb gives Minnesota the best chance to win in 2011. It will be easier said than done, though.

The Redskins, on the other hand, move on from an albatross and are left with John Beck, Rex Grossman, and the recently-acquired Kellen Clemens at quarterback.

Out in the desert, the proposed trade that would send Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals from the Eagles is not completed yet, but talks remain ongoing and a deal is expected to be done “by the end of the week.”

Kolb to the Cards was by far the worst kept secret of the offseason. For months, it was reported to be a virtual lock that he’d end up in ‘Zona, with the compensation likely to include a player — cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie — and a draft pick.

With a pact on the horizon, Larry Fitzgerald will once again have a capable quarterback that can get him the football.