Peterson to Rose: Don't back down

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It wasn't too long ago that a torn ACL was a potentially career-threatening injury for a basketball or football player. At the very least, an injury like that would keep an elite player from performing at his highest level for 18 months or so.

Not anymore.

Adrian Peterson tore his ACL in late December 2011, but when the Vikings went to take the field for in their first regular season game Sept. 9, Peterson was out there in his pads, ready to get back to work.

Two months later, the man nicknamed "All Day" has been running all over opposing defense, averaging a career-high 5.8 yards per carry and currently leads the NFL in rushing, with over 100 yards more than any other player in the league.

The city of Chicago knows a thing or two about torn ACLs, as they are currently witnessing a Bulls team try to get things together without MVP Derrick Rose, who tore his left ACL in late April.

On a conference call Wednesday, Peterson told Chicago media he has not yet talked to Rose about recovering from such a devastating injury, but planned to.

"It's funny you bring that up because I plan on calling the day after tomorrow," Peterson said. "I just got his contact this weekend, just to talk to him a little bit and see how things are going with him and to answer any questions he has for me."

As far as what advice he would give the Bulls superstar, Peterson had an answer ready.

"It depends on the questions he has," Peterson said. "The one piece of advice I can give him is have your mind set on what you want to accomplish and know, after four months that ligament is stable and strong, so don't back down from anything. I know around that time, my leg was still a little sore too but the ligament was strong, almost stronger than the right side. So you can't be scared to challenge and do different things."

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