Vikings’ Peterson, Pats’ Gronkowski hurt legs

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was hurt when he was tackled near the sideline on an icy field. It was a low hit that shelved New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

The result was a pair of right leg injuries for two of the NFL’s best players.

Peterson injured his right foot Sunday when he caught a short pass from Matt Cassel, headed to the right sideline and was tackled by Arthur Brown in the second quarter of Minnesota’s 29-26 loss at Baltimore.

“I haven’t seen the replay, but my foot was extended and kind of got rolled up, kind of like a horse-collar tackle type,” said Peterson, who is among the NFL leaders with 1,221 yards rushing. “I just felt it pop a couple times and the pain was excruciating.”

Peterson is expected to undergo an MRI today. Asked If this could be a season-ending injury, the 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player said: “Not at all. You should have seen me in here trying to get back out there.’”

New England lost Gronkowski to a suspected torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the third quarter of a 27-26 victory over Cleveland.

Gronkowski was hurt on a hit by Browns safety T.J. Ward after a 21-yard reception. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation and will have an MRI today.

In Phoenix, the Arizona Cardinals lost rookie safety Tyrann Mathieu to a left knee injury during the third quarter of a 30-10 victory over St. Louis. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said it “appears to be an ACL.”

Mathieu, the “Honey Badger” having a terrific rookie season, was hurt after returning the free kick that followed a safety. He jogged toward the bench but his knee buckled and he collapsed, then was carted off the field.