Vikings' Adrian Peterson Recovering From ACL Surgery, Aims To Play Week 1

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is working hard to recover from surgery on the torn ACL he suffered in 2011, and he plans to play again in 2012.

"Right now my goal is to be back by the first, the regular-season opener," Peterson told Dan Patrick today, as relayed by NFL.com. "That's my goal."

Peterson underwent surgery on Dec. 30, and his knee is gradually regaining strength. He anticipates running again by the end of this month. While ACL surgery usually requires eight or nine months of rehab time at the very least, Peterson told Patrick today that he's ahead of schedule.

"Ultimately, I've got to make sure I am 100 percent before I get back out there," Peterson said. "It's going good so far."