Adrian Peterson, who’s missed eight games for the Vikings while awaiting trial on felony child abuse charges, has reportedly accepted a plea deal and will avoid jail time. Pro Football Talk reports that Peterson will plead no contest to one count of misdemeanor reckless assault, and that the plea will not include any references to family violence or violence against a minor. According to that report, Peterson will pay a $2,000 fine, be placed on probation, and perform 80 hours of community service.
Once that plea is official, the NFL will have to decide whether to reinstate Peterson or hand down additional punishment, like a fine or further suspension. Under the arrangement that’s kept Peterson off the field for the Vikings’ last eight games, Peterson was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, and continued to receive his salary. Only commissioner Roger Goodell can reinstate Peterson from that list. Without any further suspension, Peterson would be eligible to return for Minnesota’s next game, on November 16 against Chicago. Via ESPN, neither the NFL nor the Vikings have decided whether they’ll suspend Peterson beyond the games he’s already missed.
