The Vikings returned from their bye week to start preliminary preparations for the Chicago Bears on Monday, without any idea when or if Adrian Peterson may return to the team.
It has been nearly a week since Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of reckless assault in Montgomery County, Texas, yet the NFL has not set a schedule to determine Peterson’s future.
Monday the NFL Players Association announced further action, calling for Peterson’s return.
NFLPA announced it has filed an expedited, non-injury grievance to remove Adrian Peterson from the Commissioner’s… http://t.co/9aa85FtvHh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2014
Peterson was placed on the NFL’s exempt list in September after he was indicted on a charge of reckless or negligent injury to a child, for whipping his four-year-old son with a “switch.” According to the players union, Peterson was supposed to be removed after his legal issues were settled.
“The NFLPA has filed an expedited, non-injury grievance to remove Adrian Peterson from the Commissioner’s Exempt list based on explicit language in a signed agreement dated September 18, 2014. “We asked the NFL to honor the terms of that agreement last week and as of now, they have failed to respond or comply. It is our obligation to protect all players’ rights, and we will pursue any and all breaches of any contract between a player and his team or the NFL.”
Last week the league said it would review Peterson’s situation for possible league discipline.
Prior to the statement from the NFLPA, the Vikings issued a statement about Peterson’s situation :
“In regards to Adrian Peterson’s status with the Minnesota Vikings, at this time his potential reinstatement is under NFL guidelines. As an organization, we respect and understand the league’s process. In the interim, our focus is on the team and preparing for this weekend’s game against the Bears.”
“We support him, but the whole thing is out of our hands,” said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer to reporters.
Zimmer said the team has not been given a timetable for Peterson’s potential return and will “continue to prepare like he’s not going to be here, until we hear differently.”
Zimmer was clear that he supports Peterson, though.
“We love the kid, he’s done everything I’ve asked him to do, and we support him and want him to get through this, for him. We’ll worry about all the other things we have to deal with at that point in time.”
Peterson’s teammates said they want him back.
“Definitely, we want him here, without a doubt,” tackle Phil Loadholt told FOX Sports Net. “Really you just got to play. It’s not in our hands right now, so we let the people that take care of that, take care of it and we just have to prepare like we have been.”
Peterson has only played in the Vikings season opener at St. Louis, running for 75 yards.
“He missed a lot of time and me personally, I think it should be time (to be reinstated),” Captain Munnerlyn told the Pioneer Press. “His case has been resolved and everything. I think he served his time.”
Whether Peterson returns or not, Zimmer doubts it will be a distraction for the team.
“This team has been pretty resilient, pretty focused on everything that we’ve done to this point.”
