Will Adrian Peterson Return To The Vikings? Teammates Say They’re ‘Hopeful’
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was looking to enter a plea deal on a child abuse charge that was brought upon him by prosecutors from the state of Texas.
USA Today is now reporting that Adrian Peterson will not be facing jail time after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault. While it’s uncertain if Peterson will return to playing football for the Vikings, Jerome Felton and several other players are saying they would like to have him on the team again.
“I think everybody’s hopeful that he’ll have an opportunity to come back. He’ll definitely have 100 percent support in the locker room.”
Felton added that if Peterson did return, he would be a huge factor for the Vikings, who are ranked third in the NFC North.
“He’s a top-five player in the world. That’s a huge deal. We’d definitely get a big boost, and that’d be exciting. I’m hoping that decision plays out.”
Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater echoed similar sentiments about Adrian Peterson’s possible return.
“He’s a guy that everyone loves around here in that locker room. If he does come back, I’m pretty sure everyone will still take him in with welcoming arms.”
Adrian Peterson was deactivated from the Vikings roster shortly after the allegations came to light. But the team was able to place Peterson on the NFL’s exempt list, meaning that he would be suspended from all NFL activities until the case was resolved.
Even though Peterson has been suspended, tight end Kyle Rudolph said the team never stopped supporting him.
“We’ve stood behind him this whole time. You’d be crazy not to welcome him back into that locker room.”
And while the players are ready to have Adrian Peterson on the team again, Melissa Isaacson of ESPNW said that it would be a smart decision if the NFL and his team don’t allow Peterson to return for the rest of the season.
“Peterson’s continued absence from football — if not imposed by the commissioner, then by the Vikings — would speak louder and clearer than anything. However the decision was ultimately determined, it would come across that regardless of the positive impact Peterson’s return could have on the team, what he did to that little boy was wrong and that having him wear its uniform this season would only be condoning it.”
How do you feel about the possibility of Adrian Peterson returning to football this season?
[Image credited to Eric Miller/Reuters via the Christian Post]
