Skip to main content

Goodell expects to make decision on Adrian Peterson by April 15

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters he expects to make a decision on the status of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson by April 15.   
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters he expects to make a decision on the status of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson by April 15. 

Peterson was suspended indefinitely by the NFL last November after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly hitting his 4-year-old son with a switch. The suspension was overturned by a judge in February, but the league said it would appeal the ruling and Peterson remains on the Commissioner's Exempt List. 

April 15 was the earliest date Peterson could be reinstated by the NFL under his suspension. Goodell said he expects to meet with the running back before a decision is made. 

• ​Zimmer: Vikings have no plans to trade Peterson

The commissioner also said Wednesday that he expects to make a decision on any potential discipline for Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy in the "near future." 

Hardy, who signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys last week, played just one game last season before being placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List after being found guilty of misdemeanor domestic violence.

• Jason Garrett: Cowboys carefully vetted Greg Hardy

After appealing his conviction, Hardy was set to stand trial in February, but the charges were dropped when the accuser couldn't be found by prosecutors. The accuser reportedly received a cash payout to drop the charges.

Hardy could still face discipline from the league. Last week, the NFL filed a lawsuit against the Mecklenburg County district attorney in an attempt to gain access to evidence from Hardy's first trial in North Carolina.

- Molly Geary