Report: Peterson hearing set for Monday
(SportsNetwork.com) – Adrian Peterson could be moving closer towards a return to the field, though the embattled Minnesota Vikings running back will have to wait at least one more week to do so.
The NFL has scheduled Peterson’s hearing for reinstatement from the Commissioner’s Exempt list for Monday at 2 p.m. ET, NFL.com reported Thursday.
Peterson, who has not played since the Vikings’ season opener on Sept. 7 after being charged with reckless or negligent injury to a child in his native Texas, had been seeking an immediate reinstatement after reaching a plea deal in his case last week.
The 2012 NFL MVP avoided jail time by pleading no contest to a lesser charge of one count of misdemeanor reckless assault. Peterson was placed on probation while receiving a $4,000 fine and an order to perform 80 hours of community service.
On Monday, the NFL Players Association filed an expedited, non-injury grievance to have Peterson put back on the Vikings’ active roster immediately.
Peterson was indicted by a grand jury in Montgomery County, Texas, back in September on accusations he used a wooden tree branch to strike his 4-year-old son as a disciplinary measure. The Vikings placed him on the exempt list shortly afterward and temporarily activated him following the team’s Week 2 game against New England, but quickly reversed course after a wave of negative backlash from sponsors, fans and Minnesota governor Mark Dayton.
The All-Pro back still faces a possible suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy that could last for an additional six games. However, NFL.com reported that Peterson’s punishment will likely be reduced due to time previously served.
The NFL rejected the union’s motion for an instant reinstatement, saying in a statement that it had yet to receive “relevant information” it requested from Peterson’s camp.
“We have honored our commitment to Mr. Peterson and the NFLPA not to process or impose any discipline until the criminal charges pending in Texas were resolved,” the statement read. “When Mr. Peterson decided not to contest criminal charges, we promptly advised both him and the NFLPA that we were prepared to consider what, if any, discipline should now be imposed under the personal conduct policy.
“We asked Mr. Peterson and his representatives, including the NFLPA, for relevant information. We have not received any of the requested information, but remain prepared to schedule a hearing and make a determination as quickly as possible based on as much information as available.”
Categorized in: NFL
Tags: Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings, Vikings