Arbitrator hears arguments on Adrian Peterson's playing status
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson speaks to the media after pleading no contest to an assault charge in Conroe, Texas on Nov. 4, 2014. Credit: AP / Pat Sullivan
An arbitrator will decide sometime this week whether Vikings running back Adrian Peterson should be removed from the NFL Commissioner's Exempt list as a prelude to his potential return this season, possibly as soon as this weekend against the Packers.
Attorney Shyam Das conducted a hearing via conference call on Monday, listening to arguments from the NFL and the NFL Players Association. Peterson, 29, who was charged in early September with child abuse in connection with the disciplining of his 4-year-old son, has been on the exempt list with pay since Week 3.
Das must rule within five days on whether Peterson should come off the list and become eligible for reinstatement. The league, however, may still elect to suspend Peterson, who pleaded no contest on Nov. 5 to one count of reckless assault. The NFL can suspend Peterson under its personal conduct policy.
The NFLPA last week filed a noninjury grievance to remove Peterson from the exempt list "based on explicit language in a signed agreement dated Sept. 18, 2014." Peterson was placed on the list less than 48 hours after the team said it would welcome him back in Week 3. He was deactivated the previous week.
Peterson turned himself in to authorities on Sept. 14, the day after TMZ Sports reported that he had beaten his child with a switch. He posted $15,000 bail and was released.
Monday's appeal followed a Friday review by the NFL that Peterson was invited to attend but elected not to. He said in a statement that he would instead "attend the standard meeting with the Commissioner prior to possible imposition of discipline, as has been the long-term practice under the ."
Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”
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