After months of uncertainty about the Minnesota Running Backs status within the league, Adrian Peterson is to be reinstated immediately. U.S. District Court Judge David Doty Ruled today that arbitrator Harold Henderson had ruled outside the ‘law of the shop and in doing so failed to meet his duty under the [collective bargaining agreement].”
Breaking: Adrian Peterson Reinstated
Earlier this month Judge David Doty had heard a motion from the NFLPA asking for Peterson to be reinstated, they had stated that the NFL and Commissioner Rodger Goodell had operated outside of their remit in suspending Peterson indefinitely and in appointing a Counselor for him to attend. This was particularly important as Petersons reinstatement was subject to a review on the 15th April and upon completion of a program designed by said Counselor.
Judge Doty has overturned Adrian Peterson decision and Peterson now will be reinstated, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 26, 2015
Peterson missed all but one game for the Minnesota Vikings last season after spending 14 games on the Commissioners exemption list after charges were filed of child endangerment relating to Peterson’s use of a ‘switch’ on his 4 year old son. Peterson later went on to plead guilty to a lesser charge clearing the way for the NFL to suspend him indefinitely.
It is unclear if Peterson will play another snap for the Minnesota Vikings as he has expressed ‘unease’ at returning to the team in a recent interview with ESPN’s Ben Goessling. It was also reported that Peterson’s agent Ben Dogra had to be separated from Vikings VP of football operations rob Brzezinski over the weekend at the NFL Combine after their exchange became heated and Dogra was heard saying that Peterson “would never play there [Minnesota] again”
What happens now?
Currently Peterson is still technically suspended; the ruling has to return to arbitrator Harold Henderson who then has to reinstate Peterson. The League can appeal to the U.S. 8Th Circuit Court of appeals or could ask Henderson/ another arbitrator to look again at the Commissioners original suspension but considering the fallout from the Ray Rice appeal several months ago it would be unlikely to do so.
https://twitter.com/GoesslingESPN/status/571020800272175104
From all indications it is unlikely that Peterson will be with the Vikings next season, several teams have been reportedly interested in the star running back and he has been heavily linked with the Dallas Cowboys, who have issues of their own with reported rumours of a video implicating star receiver Dez Bryant in an altercation in 2011 ‘Five Times Worse than Ray Rice’. With Dallas unwilling at present to invest heavily on Bryant, the window may now be open for Jerry Jones to make a move for Peterson, the only problem standing in their way? Peterson is still under contract with the Vikings for this season and General Manager Rick Spielman will take the best offer on the table.
Update:
Per reports, the NFL is expected to appeal, it remains unclear if the appeal will occur before the original April 15th review date.
In important news, the @NFL is expected to appeal the Adrian Peterson ruling handed down by Judge Doty. Explanation coming online.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2015
The NFL are not taking this lying down, this evening they have moved to appeal the courts decision and have placed Peterson Back on the Commissioners exempt list. What this means come April 15th no one knows.
NFL spokesman said the league will appeal Judge Doty’s decision and that Adrian Peterson will go back on the exempt list. #Vikings
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) February 26, 2015
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