The NFL Players Association is calling for the immediate reinstatement of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and sent a letter to the NFL on Friday detailing an agreement made in September that guarantees the running back's removal from the commissioner's exempt list, according to a report from ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter.
NFLPA asks for Adrian Peterson reinstatement
The NFLPA hopes that the NFL will immediately reinstate Adrian Peterson and allow the Vikings running back to play in Week 11.
According to the report, the NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement that explicitly stated that Peterson would be removed from the commissioner’s exempt list and reinstated upon the resolution of his legal matter. The running back pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor last week and will receive a $4,000 fine, probation and 80 hours of community service.
Peterson is still subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy and may still receive a punishment from the league, but according to a letter sent from the NFL to Peterson, the league wants evidence from the case, independent experts to review the evidence and a meeting between the player and commissioner Roger Goodell.
The NFLPA alleges this is a new precedent for personal conduct review and that Peterson’s case should be handled no different than any other potential violation of the personal conduct policy. The group also says that Peterson should be immediately reinstated and allowed to play for the Vikings, beginning with a Week 11 road game against the Chicago Bears, until the NFL is finished with its review and ready to make disciplinary decisions.
Whether or not the Vikings would welcome him back may be in question though, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday morning that the team’s executives are divided about how immediate Peterson’s return would be. According to Rapoport, Peterson’s facing a six-game suspension that may be reduced due to time served and loss of pay, and his return to the field could come next month:
The league will likely consider a combination of time served and loss of pay with regards to Adrian Peterson. Expect a December return.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 9, 2014
Peterson is the all-time leader in rushing yards for the Vikings with over 10,000 rushing yards accrued in his first seven seasons with the team. He played in just one game in 2014, tallying 75 yards rushing in Week 1, before his suspension began prior to Week 2. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata have handled the rushing duties for Minnesota and have combined for 723 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
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