Vikings' Mike Zimmer: Adrian Peterson 'not going to play anywhere else'
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will not play for another team this season, head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters Wednesday.
"He's really got two choices: He can either play for us or he can not play," Zimmer said. "He's not going to play for anyone else and that's just the way it's going to be."
Peterson told Zimmer this weekend that he would not attend this week's organized team activities. Yahoo's Charles Robinson reported Peterson's decision not to attend the workouts intended to be a message to the Vikings that he wants to be traded.
Peterson has not participated in any team activities since his indictment on child abuse charges last September.
Peterson played one game last season before he was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List after he was indicted in Texas on charges of child abuse. Peterson was suspended indefinitely in November after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault.
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Peterson's future with the Vikings was the subject of much speculation this off-season. General manager Rick Spielman and owner Mark Wilf have said they would like Peterson back with the team. Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, reportedly had a "heated exchange" with Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski at the NFL combine in February. Dogra also said in March that he doesn't "think it's in [Peterson's] best interests" to remain in Minnesota. Peterson has three years remaining on his contract.
Peterson was the subject of many trade rumors during the off-season, especially involving the Dallas Cowboys. Peterson, a native of the Dallas area, said last month that it would be "nice" to play for the Cowboys but acknowledged that the situation is out of his control.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported Tuesday that Peterson could threaten to retire.
- Dan Gartland
