Report: Adrian Peterson appeal ruling to come next week
The ruling in Adrian Peterson's appeal of his season-long suspension will come in the middle of next week, reports Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The ruling will be made by arbitrator Harold Henderson, who was appointed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to handle the case.
Peterson's hearing ended on Thursday. According to the AP, Peterson gave a statement without testifying on Tuesday and did not attend the conclusion of the hearing on Thursday.
• MCCANN: Peterson faces long odds in suspension appeal hearing
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent was scheduled to testify on Thursday. The AP reports Peterson was told by Vincent that he would be credited with time served while on the Commissioner’s Exempt list and would be given a two-game ban if he showed up at a disciplinary hearing Nov. 14 with Goodell.
Peterson did not attend that meeting and Goodell suspended him without pay for the rest of the season days later for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The 2012 NFL MVP won’t be considered for reinstatement before April 15.
Peterson had been placed on the exempt list after he was originally indicted on felony charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child in September. On Nov. 4, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault after authorities said he hit his 4-year old son with a switch. He was ordered to pay a $4,000 fine and perform 80 hours of community service.
• McCANN: Key legal issues in Adrian Peterson's appeal hearing
If Peterson is fully reinstated before the end of the year, he would be allowed to return to the team. By next week, the 5-7 Vikings will have three games left on their 2014 schedule. Minnesota reportedly has no plans to trade or release Peterson, however ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the team's general counsel has been working to make sure he does not return this season.
- Molly Geary and Scooby Axon
