There’s a strong likelihood that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will be reinstated by the National Football League in April. However, the future Hall of Famer is taking the league to federal court—with the help of the NFL Players Association—in order to be reinstated before then (via Star Tribune).
Peterson will appear in federal court in Minnesota on Friday to seek immediate reinstatement. Remember, Peterson was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List following the Vikings first game of the season back in September. After being away from the team—and coming to a legal conclusion regarding his case—Peterson applied for reinstatement, at which point the NFL denied him that appeal.
Then on November 18th, the NFL suspended Peterson for the remainder of the season. In that decision, Roger Goodell had this to say about Peterson’s potential reinstatement (via NFL.com).
The timing of your potential reinstatement will be based on the results of the counseling and treatment program set forth in this decision. Under this two-step approach, the precise length of the suspension will depend on your actions.
We are prepared to put in place a program that can help you to succeed, but no program can succeed without your genuine and continuing engagement. You must commit yourself to your counseling and rehabilitative effort, properly care for your children, and have no further violations of law or league policy.
Not only is Peterson claiming that he is following all guidelines set forth by the league, he’s also indicating that the league had no right to suspend him retroactively under a new policy.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Peterson’s council and the NFL will each have 30 minutes to present their case to Judge David Doty on Friday. If Doty rules in Peterson’s favor, things change significantly.
As we mentioned above, Peterson will likely be reinstated by the NFL should Doty rule in its favor. The issue there is that it wouldn’t come until mid-April, about a month after the start of the new league year. That would put Peterson, who is likely on his way out of Minnesota, in a less-than ideal situation. If he were to be reinstated at that point, teams potentially in play for his services (Dallas Cowboys) would likely have to move on to other options.
If Peterson does win his case, it means other teams could negotiate a potential trade with Minnesota, which would then become official when the new league year starts next month.
In short, this could be Peterson angling his way out of Minnesota by playing hardball with the league.
Photo: USA Today