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Vikings Sign Former Broncos Running Back Ronnie Hillman

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (CBS4/The Sports Xchange) - With Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson opting for surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, Minnesota has signed free agent Ronnie Hillman.

Hillman, the Broncos leading rusher last season, was cut by Denver after their final preseason game.

Peterson suffered the injury in Sunday night's win over the Green Bay Packers.

The 31-year-old Peterson slightly twisted his knee at the end of a 5-yard run in the third quarter when Packers linebacker Kyle Fackrell rolled onto his right leg. Peterson had to be helped from the field.

With Peterson is out, the Vikings are expected to use a committee approach with Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata splitting snaps like they did in 2014, when Peterson played only one game after the NFL banned him following child abuse charges he faced in Texas. McKinnon and Asiata combined to run for 1,108 yards in 2014.

Hillman was added on Wednesday when left tackle Matt Kalil was placed on injured reserve.

Peterson, the 2015 NFL rushing leader, finished with 19 yards on 12 carries Sunday after a slow start in Week 1, when he managed 31 yards on 19 carries against the Tennessee Titans.

Peterson suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee late in the 2011 season, but returned the following year to rush for a career-high 2,097 yards.

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