Report: Adrian Peterson could face suspension even if cleared
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson could be suspended by the NFL even if found not guilty of child injury charges, reports ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Peterson could be suspended without pay for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The policy is currently being discussed by the league and its owners, and according to Mortensen, one of the things that was reaffirmed last week during meetings was that a violation of the policy does not require a conviction.
Mortensen reports that "any facts established in a legal proceeding can be found as a personal conduct violation regardless of the legal outcome."
Peterson was indicted on charges of child injury in Texas on Sept. 12 and released on $15,000 bond the next day. The charges were for "reckless or negligent injury to a child" after Peterson disciplined his 4-year-old son with a switch.
The Vikings originally deactivated Peterson and he missed one game before being reactivated. Shortly after he was reinstated, he agreed to be placed on the Commissioner's Exempt list while his investigation is ongoing. Peterson is barred from all team activities but receives his full salary while on the list.
A tentative trial date has been set for the week of Dec. 1.
On Thursday, prosecutors in Texas reportedly filed paperwork to have Peterson arrested again for violating his bond agreement after the running back allegedly admitted to "smoking a little weed" before giving a urine sample.
- Molly Geary
