Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was hoping to get a quick reinstatement from the National Football League after he reached a plea deal with Texas officials in his child abuse case on Tuesday.
Now comes this report from Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that indicates the NFL has told Peterson his case is being reviewed for potential discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy.
NFL tells Adrian Peterson today his case being reviewed for "potential discipline under Personal Conduct Policy." #vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) November 6, 2014
Peterson, who is on the commissioner’s exempt list, is currently being paid while he is away from the team. Any discipline the league puts forth would strip Peterson of his pay and likely mean the end of his 2014 season.
Some have argued that Peterson has already been punished while being away from the team since Week 1, but there is a ton of ambiguity there. If the league wants to remain consistent, it likely will have to throw a six-game suspension Peterson’s way, especially if this falls under the guise of the new domestic violence policy.
In an even more interesting twist, it seems like Goodell will make the final decision here.
The NFL requested Peterson provide "relevant information regarding his case, meet with designated experts" who will counsel Goodell#Vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) November 6, 2014
That’s not going to sit well with the NFLPA, which has indicated that it wants Goodell to take on a lesser role as it relates to league discipline. If Goodell ends up throwing a six-game suspension Peterson’s way, you better believe it won’t be without a fight from the players association.
In any event, this process is nowhere near complete. And Peterson will remain sidelined until it is.