Around the NFL

Vikings announce Latavius Murray underwent surgery

By Marc Sessler
Around the NFL Writer
Published: March 22, 2017 at 06:55 p.m.
Updated: March 22, 2017 at 10:35 p.m.

By Marc Sessler

Less than a week after the Vikings signed Latavius Murray, the veteran running back has gone under the knife.

Minnesota announced that Murray underwent a successful ankle operation on Wednesday. The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson, the renowned surgeon, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport was told that once Anderson went in to the ankle, he discovered the running back needed a ligament repaired. The estimated time for recovery is about three months, Rapoport adds. Murray took visits so that teams could take a first-hand look.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Murray was inked by the Vikings to a three-year, $15 million deal. The arrival of the former Raiders back essentially ended the reign of future Hall of Fame runner Adrian Peterson in Minnesota.

Murray rushed for 39 yards and one touchdown off 12 carries in Oakland's wild-card loss to the Texans in January. Appearing in 15 games including the playoff tilt, Murray missed two weeks in October with a toe injury before tweaking the ankle down the stretch.

It's unusual for a player to undergo surgery just days after signing a free-agent contract, but the procedure doesn't appear serious. Murray -- for now -- sounds like a lock for camp.