For now, Adrian Peterson has been deactivated by the Vikings and told to stay away from the team. But at some point soon the Vikings will have to make a more permanent call on Peterson, who has become radioactive in the wake of his arrest on charges he recklessly or negligently injured his four-year-old son.
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The Vikings options are somewhat limited as regards Peterson. It boils down to this: they can either deactivate him week-to-week, hope the league steps in and suspends him or outright cut him.
The idea that Minnesota would cut Peterson, their biggest star and one of the greatest players in franchise history, seems unthinkable even in light of the horrifying accusations against him. But Vikings GM Rick Spielman has indicated that the unthinkable could very well happen.
In an interview with ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio Sunday morning, Spielman said the team won’t be “knee jerk” in dealing with Peterson but added that “all options are on the table.”
Spielman said the Vikings will look at the Peterson situation at the end of the weekend and decide what to do. The NFL, who themselves are reviewing the Peterson case under the personal conduct policy, will reportedly wait until the Vikings move before taking any action themselves.
The Vikings so far have been relatively proactive in dealing with Peterson, moving swiftly to deactivate him. This has won them some PR points from people who think that teams deal too leniently with players who get in trouble.
But the real test for the Vikings won’t come until they make their final decision on Peterson. If they decide to merely deactivate him from one week to the next, still paying him even if he doesn’t play, people will grumble that they are just stalling for time.
If they cut him, a lot of fans will cry foul, but a lot of fans will applaud them too.