TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Adrian Peterson was placed on injured reserve Friday because of a neck injury, ending the running back’s season after only six games with the Arizona Cardinals.
Acquired from New Orleans on Oct. 10, Peterson ran for 448 yards - 314 in his first three games - and two touchdowns on 129 carries and had nine catches for 66 yards for the Cardinals. He missed the last two games. In four games for the Saints, he ran for 81 yards on 24 carries and caught two passes for 4 yards.
“The good news is my neck injury doesn’t require surgery, but I’m told by Dr. Robert Watkins that the best thing for me is just more rest than the length of the season,” Peterson wrote on Instagram. “Obviously, I’m disappointed about going on IR when my body is still able to produce, but I look forward to returning completely healthy for another season in 2018. I’m grateful for the opportunity that the Arizona Cardinals have given me to show I can still contribute on an NFL team.”
Peterson signed with the Saints during the offseason after spending his first 10 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He came to the Cardinals to help replace David Johnson, the star running back who broke his left wrist in the season opener. With Peterson sidelined, Arizona has turned to Kerwynn Williams as the starter.
Peterson is under contract through next season.
“He’ll heal fine,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said. “I don’t even think about next year. I have enough problems with Washington this week.”
Also Friday, the Cardinals acquired cornerback C.J. Goodwin off waivers from Atlanta. Goodwin appeared in 12 games for the Falcons this season.
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