While we wait for a definitive end to the unfortunate saga, here are five things we know about the Adrian Peterson situation:
5. Peterson was indicted on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child by a Montgomery County, Texas, grand jury on Sept. 12. The charges stem from an incident in which Peterson used a wooden switch to strike his 4-year-old son. TMZ posted photos of the boy's injuries. Peterson allegedly sent the boy's mother a text saying, "Never do I go overboard! But all my kids will know, hey daddy has [t]he biggest heart but don't play no games when it comes to acting right." Peterson has since claimed that he never intended to injure his child, only to discipline him.
4. Accusations of a similar crime against another of his young sons have emerged from 2013. KHOU 11 News in Houston reported that Peterson caused a head wound while disciplining his son in June of last year. TMZ added more details as to why charges were never filed, "Sources close to the investigation tell TMZ the reason the case went nowhere is because Adrian did NOT strike the boy in the forehead - but instead the child accidentally hit his head on a car seat while Adrian was punishing him."
3. After Peterson initially played in the Minnesota Vikings' season opener, he was deactivated for week two. After being reinstated the following Monday, the Vikings again reversed course and placed the running back on the NFL's exempt list just two days later. Peterson is barred from all team activities while on the exempt list but will still collect his remaining $11.75 million salary for this season.
2. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that the Vikings "themselves do not foresee Peterson in their future." This comes after owner Zygi Wilf admitted that the team "made a mistake" by not acting sooner. The Vikings and the NFL have come under fire for their lack of decisive action regarding the rash of domestic violence incidents that have occurred recently. Peterson, the 2012 MVP and six-time Pro Bowler, is Minnesota's all-time leading rusher with 10,190 yards.
1. : Mortensen reports
Here are two things we don't know:
1. What will the NFL do? If Peterson is reactivated at any point, a strict penalty could come down from league offices. "NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned child abuse as a violation that the league will harshly punish during his news conference Friday, prompting the Vikings to change their expectations regarding Peterson's potential return to the team, according to sources," Mortensen writes.
2. Where will Peterson end up? While the Vikings have hinted that Peterson may not be in their future plans, releasing the running back outright may not be their preferred option. According to the New York Post's Bart Hubbuch, trading Peterson is a possibility.
Source familiar with thinking of Vikings ownership tells me they have completely ruled out releasing Adrian Peterson over incident. (1/4)
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) September 14, 2014
But source says Vikings haven’t ruled out trading Peterson if more ugly details emerge. Depends on recommendation of the GM. (2/4) — Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) September 14, 2014
