ESPN is reporting that the National Football League Players Association wants Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to be immediately reinstated to the team.
In a letter sent to the NFL on Friday, the player’s union noted that Peterson’s suspension was supposed to last until the resolution of his legal situation in the criminal case against him. On Tuesday, Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor in a Texas courtroom, part of a plea bargain on child abuse charges involving his 4-year-old son.
ESPN’s Chris Mortenson and Adam Schefter said that the agreement concerning Peterson’s return had been struck at the time that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell placed Peterson on the exempt list. Peterson played in the first Vikings game of the season but has been suspended with pay for the following eight games under the terms of the commissioner’s exempt list.
The NFL has asked for information on the case that would be used as part of a yet-to-be scheduled hearing on whether there would be any further league penalty against Peterson under its conduct policies. The NFLPA contends that Peterson’s personal conduct review should be like all others and he should be eligible to practice and play immediately until the league determines what discipline to levy.
The Vikings are off this week; they play next Sunday against the Bears at Soldier Field. The Sporting News cites unnamed sources who say that Peterson’s return to play “…would be welcomed by the majority of Vikings football operations executives, as well as the coaching staff and players.”
A finding of guilt in Peterson’s case was deferred for two years; Peterson was fined $4,000 and ordered to complete 80 hours of community service.
