A review Friday by the Pioneer Press of the Nov. 16 game telecast and the play in question indicates he was referring to Buccaneers linebacker Cato June, No. 59.

Peterson, the league's leading rusher with 1,413 yards, said that moment has reinforced his need to watch out for questionable hits.

"I looked at that play and really started thinking that, 'Hey, whether you believe it or not, guys are out there trying to take you out,' " Peterson said Thursday. " 'So you got to be smarter and protect yourself.' "

Peterson couldn't do much to defend himself on that play.

He said the incident occurred in the third quarter of the 19-13 loss at Tampa, just before a failed Vikings fourth-down attempt. A tape of Peterson's third-down run shows multiple defenders forcing him back after a 1-yard gain.

Defensive tackle Chris Hovan is on Peterson's back.

Defensive end Greg White is on the ground, holding Peterson's left leg.

Cornerback Ronde Barber is also on Peterson, toward his right side.

That's when June runs toward the pile and dives at Peterson's right knee.

"I give thanks to God that my foot wasn't stuck in the grass," Peterson said, "and it was able to give."

After the hit, the tape shows, June bounces off the ground and disappears from the screen.

Peterson said he wasn't aware of the incident because his head was down, with Hovan on his back, until coaches advised him later. Then he watched the tape and was horrified.

"I was being stood up ... and a guy just came out of nowhere, out of the side of the screen, and intentionally went for my leg," Peterson said. "I felt that. I watched that over and over again. He intentionally went for my leg, tried to take me out."

There is no indication of whether June was disciplined for the hit.