Report: NFL Rejects Immediate Reinstatement For Adrian Peterson

Oct 8, 2014; Conroe, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (middle) walks to his car after his arraignment at the Montgomery county courthouse. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2014; Conroe, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (middle) walks to his car after his arraignment at the Montgomery county courthouse. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

NFL sources claim the league quickly rejected Adrian Peterson’s request for immediate reinstatement after Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges.

Adrian Peterson could soon return to NFL sidelines, but it won’t be this week. Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo reports that the league quickly rejected a request from Peterson and his representation for an immediate reinstatement after Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless assault.

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Peterson has been on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list since he was charged for beating his son bloody. The exempt list effectively serves as a suspension with pay. Given that AP faced felony charges, it seemed a long shot that he’d be back this season, but thanks to this plea agreement, Peterson could see the field sooner rather than later.

The league, it seems, is in no hurry to view Peterson’s case though. Garafolo notes, ‘The sources said the NFL executives made it clear a decision on Peterson’s status would be forthcoming, and the league would inform Peterson at that point.’

So the league isn’t in a hurry, nor are they delaying. They’re probably just busy making sure Roger Goodell doesn’t completely fumble his testimony at the Ray Rice hearing.

No matter what it does, the league has to make sure that the reinstatement comes only after it has had its say in the disciplinary matter and, more importantly for the owners and Goodell, that the league doesn’t get another public black eye from its handling of Peterson’s situation.

The Minnesota Vikings have a bye this week anyways so Peterson can afford to wait a week, but there is no indication how long the league will take to come to a decision on Peterson’s reinstatement. Once it does allow him back on the field though, expect him to return to Minnesota’s backfield straight away.

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