By Ryan Gerstel, Eagledelphia contributor 
AP out vs. Carolina?:
Update: According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, Peterson has elected to have surgery on his torn meniscus. He will miss multiple games.
#Vikings RB Adrian Peterson told me he's planning to have surgery on Thurs to repair his meniscus. He's "doing it with faith and optimism."
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 21, 2016
Minnesota Vikings start running back Adrian Peterson could miss the team's Week 3 match up against the Carolina Panthers due to a torn meniscus he suffered Week 2.
While the future hall of famer hasn't been ruled out of the game, Mike Zimmer and the Vikings are preparing this week as if he will not play, according to ESPN's Ed Werder.
Vikings preparing for Sunday's game with expectation Adrian Peterson will miss at least this week with sprained MCL, per @Edwerderespn.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2016
The deciding factor will be pending opinion by Peterson's surgeon, Dr. James Andrews. Andrews also performed surgery on Peterson's ACL back in 2011.
If Peterson can't go, the Vikings will roll with backup running backs Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon. In Peterson's absence in 2014, the duo combined to rush for 1,108 yards with nine touchdowns and averaged about 4.2 yards per carry.
"I have a lot of confidence in those two guys," Zimmer told reporters Monday. "They're both different types of runners, but I think the combination of the two can help us."
New quarterback Sam Bradford led the offense efficiently despite Peterson's absence, completing 22-0f-31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
Doug Martin out with hamstring: Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin is expected to be sidelined for the next three weeks due to a hamstring injury, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.
Following the results of his MRI, #Bucs RB Doug Martin is expected to be out about three weeks with a hamstring injury, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2016
Martin suffered the injury during the first half of the Bucs' 40-7 blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals. In the 27-year-old's absence. Charles Sims will become the RB1 for the Bucs. Sims rushed 107 times for 529 yards (4.9) average, and excelled as a pass catcher, hauling in 51 passes for 561 yards and four touchdowns.
"When you take a top-level player out, you usually don't have exactly the same caliber player behind him, even though we're very high on Charles Sims," Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said Monday, via ESPN. "But yeah, it definitely hurts you. But that's the NFL. You're only healthy for one week and then you're hoping that you are fortunate enough to stay healthy the rest of the year. We didn't have good fortune in that department (Sunday), but this will be a new week."
The Bucs could also include former Atlanta Falcon running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who was signed last week, in the running attack to aid Sims.
Martin is coming off a great 2015 season where he compiled 1,402 rushing yards (2nd in the NFL) and scored seven touchdowns. Without the work horse running back, quarterback Jameis Winston will need to put the Bucs' offense on his shoulders.
Abdullah placed on IR: The Detroit Lions have placed starting running back Ameer Abdullah on Injured Reserve due to a foot injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans.
This is a bad one: The #Lions placed RB Ameer Abdullah (foot) on Injured Reserve. He spent yesterday in Charlotte with Dr. Robert Anderson.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2016
According to ESPN, an initial X-ray showed no broken bones in Abdullah's foot, but a second opinion by Dr. Robert Anderson Wednesday led to the Lions' decision to place the running back on the IR.
The second-year back had a solid rookie campaign last season, rushing 143 times for 597 yards and two touchdowns. He was enjoying a nice start to his sophomore season–101 yards on 18 carries (5.6 yards per carry)– before the injury.
With Abdullah out for the foreseeable future, Theo Riddick will become the Lions' primary runner.
