NFL to begin review of Peterson case

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(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.

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