CLEVELAND -- One of the most striking sights from Sunday's 34-20 Vikings' victory over the Browns was a third-quarter camera shot of blood pouring from the left arm of Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson following his second touchdown run.While it was widely assumed that Peterson's arm bled profusely as a result of a halftime IV to combat dehydration, the Vikings All-Pro rusher said a second-quarter gash from a chin strap caused the scary wound.
"I took a hit and I don't know if a clip on my chinstrap got me," said Peterson, who nonetheless rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries -- including an impressive 64-yard scoring romp late in the fourth quarter that saw him break six Browns tackles."Our training staff did a good job of closing me up. So I didn't lose too much blood."
Peterson, who also caught an 18-yard pass from veteran quarterback Brett Favre, said this was the first time he ever required intravenous treatment during a game.
"I came out feeling lightheaded, not feeling too good, kind of weak. I came out slow," said Peterson, who only had 25 rushing yards in the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. "Everyone else was on point, had a good tempo and I wasn't in sync with my guys.
"I was able to come out in the second half and get in sync and take care of business. I gagged myself to get everything out of my stomach. After the IV, I recharged and I was ready to go to work."
