"The Vikings are not wavering in their support of Adrian Peterson and are optimistic the star running back can return for the 2012 season opener that is less than nine months away.

With Peterson still considered the franchise's cornerstone despite tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Saturday's 33-26 win over Washington - prompting an entire offseason of rigorous rehabilitation and fortitude - the Vikings don't plan to change their game plan in his absence or after he returns.

Coach Leslie Frazier said Peterson is determined to return "as good or better" than the original version.

A hit by Redskins safety DeJon Gomes in the third quarter also tore Peterson's medial collateral ligament and inflicted meniscus damage in his left knee, Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman said at a press conference Monday.

"We really haven't had to alter things. We really don't plan to," Frazier said of the team's offense. "We look forward to eventually getting Adrian back on the field."

Peterson, who was spotted leaving the Winter Park practice facility on crutches but was unavailable for comment, could undergo surgery in the next seven to 10 days, depending on how quickly he regains range of motion in the knee.

Peterson did not suffer damage to his posterior cruciate ligament or lateral collateral ligament, Sugarman said, and the chondral surface in his knee is also normal, which Sugarman called "a positive thing for this injury." "