(SportsNetwork.com) – The NFL informed Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian
Peterson Thursday that his criminal case on child abuse charges is now being
reviewed under the league’s personal conduct policy.
“The NFL advised Adrian Peterson this afternoon that following his plea
agreement to resolve his criminal case in Texas his matter will now be
reviewed for potential discipline under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy,”
said a statement released by the league on Thursday. “As part of the process,
the NFL has requested that Peterson submit relevant information regarding his
case and meet with designated experts who will make recommendations for the
Commissioner’s consideration.”
Peterson, who has been on the reserve/exempt list since September after being
indicted on felony charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child in his
native Texas, will remain off the Vikings’ active roster until the NFL
completes its investigation.
The 2012 NFL MVP avoided jail time by reaching a plea agreement with
Montgomery County (Texas) prosecutors on Tuesday. According to multiple
reports, Peterson pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of one count of
misdemeanor reckless assault and will receive probation along with a $4,000
fine and an order to serve 80 hours of community service.
Peterson was accused of using a wooden tree branch to hit his 4-year-old son
as a disciplinary measure, resulting in visible injuries to the child.
He and his attorneys had lobbied Commissioner Roger Goodell for immediate
reinstatement following his plea deal, but the request was denied.
Instead, Peterson could face an additional suspension if found to have been in
violation of the personal conduct policy.
Peterson has not played since Minnesota’s season opener on Sept. 7. The All-
Pro back was briefly reinstated by the Vikings after being deactivated for the
team’s Week 2 game against New England, but the club quickly reversed course
and placed him on the exempt list after a wave of negative backlash from
sponsors, fans and Minnesota governor Mark Dayton.
The two-time league rushing champion also admitted to a court staffer that he
had used marijuana prior to taking a drug test after his initial hearing back
in October, which could factor into whether Goodell imposes any further
discipline.
