ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that lawyers for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson are working on a plea deal with authorities in Texas.
Adrian Peterson and his reps have been in ongoing talks to reach a plea agreement that could be done as early as Tuesday, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 2, 2014
Later on Sunday, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio cited sources close to the situation in drawing a conclusion that the child abuse charge against Peterson could be dropped to a misdemeanor.
This could very well be an indication that Peterson will not only avoid jail time, but that he could potentially return to the Vikings at some point this season. The future Hall of Fame running back has been on the commissioner’s exempt list, missing the team’s last eight games.
The issue with any potential return to action is that it’s unknown what action the NFL might take against Peterson moving forward. As of right now, he’s basically on paid leave from the Vikings and has not been punished under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Roger Goodell and Co. could determine that Peterson’s stint away from the team is punishment enough, but as we have seen in the past this is far from a certainty. Remember, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was away from the team for five games last season while in rehab for alcohol abuse. The league did not factor that into account when suspending the linebacker for nine games this year.
Peterson will be in court on Tuesday, at which point a plea deal could be presented to the judge for approval.
Photo: Star Tribune
