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Hurt Peterson Misses Practice

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2008

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Minnesota's sputtering offense could be without its biggest star against Carolina on Sunday.

Running back Adrian Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher and the 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year, missed practice Thursday with a hamstring injury. Peterson said he hopes to play against the Panthers, but he took a step back one day after participating in practice on a limited basis.

"It's a concern," Coach Brad Childress said. "Your legs are your legs. We'll just see how he comes out by the time we get to Sunday."

Before practice began, Peterson told reporters he injured the hamstring late in last weekend's 18-15 loss to the Colts. Peterson rushed for 160 yards in the game and has 263 yards on the season, 1 yard ahead of Atlanta's Michael Turner for the league lead.

But the offense failed to score a touchdown in that game, settling for five field goals by Ryan Longwell.

"It was tough. What upset me the most is we just couldn't get into the end zone as a group," Peterson said. "The whole game I'm sitting there saying, it could come back and bite us. Peyton Manning on the other side of the ball can get hot any time. That's what happened. I was really upset."

Peterson did not specify which leg was injured.

If he cannot play Sunday, backup Chester Taylor will get the bulk of the carries. Taylor was the starting running back in Minnesota in 2006.

Hochuli Still Struggling With His Blown Call

The fallout continues over NFL referee Ed Hochuli's game-deciding mistake in Denver on Sunday.

Mike Pereira, the NFL's supervisor of officials, said on his NFL Network show Wednesday night he has talked several times to Hochuli and the referee remains devastated. And the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Hochuli, an official for 19 seasons and a referee for 17, had e-mailed fans in San Diego and told them, "I failed miserably."

BEARS: Devin Hester's status remained a mystery, and so did the extent of his rib injury.

After telling a few reporters earlier Thursday he had torn cartilage, the record-setting return specialist backtracked and said his ribs are simply bruised. Either way, he hopes to play against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

He remains a game-time decision after missing his second straight practice Thursday, but he seemed relieved tests earlier in the week did not reveal a more serious problem.

BRONCOS: Prosecutors in Georgia have filed two counts of simple battery against wide receiver Brandon Marshall stemming from a 6-month-old domestic violence complaint.

The charges were filed Sept. 10 in Fulton County State Court. Police allege Marshall threw his ex-girlfriend on a bed, slapped her and damaged an Atlanta apartment March 4.

BROWNS: The Elias Sports Bureau took away a sack credited to the Browns' Shaun Smith and gave Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger a pass reception from Pittsburgh's 10-6 win Sunday night.

After reviewing the videotape, Elias changed the play to a successful pass for Roethlisberger because the ball came out of his hand, struck a teammate in the back and rebounded to the quarterback, who was tackled by Smith.

STEELERS: Linebacker James Farrior was fined $7,500 by the NFL for making an obscene gesture toward Browns fans Sunday night.

Farrior made the gesture during the third quarter of the Steelers' 10-6 win, saying afterward he was upset because fans were celebrating a minor injury to safety Ryan Clark. Farrior also drew a taunting penalty.

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