Vikings: Peterson likely to miss Giants but might be back for Lions

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson almost certainly will need more than one game to rest his injured right knee.

Coach Brad Childress said Monday that while Peterson is progressing in his rehabilitation from a torn lateral collateral ligament suffered Nov. 11 at Green Bay, it's "a long shot" the rookie will be ready for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

Peterson, who did not play in the Vikings' 29-22 victory over Oakland on Sunday but continues to lead the NFL with 1,081 rushing yards, was scheduled to run on an underwater treadmill Monday. If the team's medical staff is satisfied with how Peterson's knee responds, it's possible he could begin running on land Wednesday.

A probable best-case scenario would be for him to return Dec. 2 against Detroit. Childress said when Peterson does come back, he will wear a knee brace.

According to Childress, Peterson's intense rehab schedule has been going for six to eight hours a day. "Whether it is on the elliptical or these machines that they have in there," Childress said. "It's almost like playing a video game with your leg, literally."

It remains uncertain when Peterson will return to practice.

Asked if Peterson's potential availability for Sunday might be a game-time decision, Childress said: "You have to get back [to practice] and get your timing. To be able to get back and practice, you've got to be able to do the things it takes to practice, so no, I would say it's a long shot right now to get back there [for Sunday], but we'll see. He's surprised me before."

Getting his roll on

Second-year defensive end Ray Edwards had some fun after a first-quarter sack of Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper, breaking into the familiar arm roll that Culpepper used after throwing touchdown passes during his time with the Vikings.

"I used to watch the Vikings a lot because I played wide receiver growing up and Randy Moss was the guy to be. I used to watch [Culpepper] and he always used to do that," Edwards explained. "I figured if I get a sack I'm bringing it out for him."

No Raiders players had a response to Edwards' celebration, but teammate Kevin Williams did. "Kevin messed with me a little bit, like, 'Man, don't mess with my boy like that,'" Edwards said. "After that, he's like, 'I'm just playing with you.'"

Injury report

Childress said cornerback Antoine Winfield was "no worse" Monday after the veteran sat out the second half of Sunday's game because of a sore hamstring. Winfield had missed the previous two games before starting against the Raiders.

"He had some soreness this morning, but no worse than he was certainly at the end of last week," Childress said. "It was good to be able to get through the second half and not have him set himself back any further."

The Vikings did have at least new one addition to the medical report Sunday. Veteran fullback Tony Richardson sprained the medial collateral ligament in his knee. Richardson also has an ankle injury, according to Childress.

Meanwhile, receiver Sidney Rice continues to deal with a strained hamstring and wrist sprain, and defensive end Brian Robison had some soreness from the hyperextended elbow he suffered at Green Bay on Nov. 11.

No stopping Williams

After a review of the Raiders game film, the Vikings credited nose tackle Pat Williams with a season-high 10 tackles, including seven solo, along with one tackle for a loss, one hurry and one pass defensed Sunday. Williams was extremely motivated after the Packers' Ryan Grant became the first running back to rush for 100 yards against the Vikings this season.

"Pat takes that as a personal affront," Childress said. "You can see just by the way that he played that he wasn't going to be blocked much."

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com