Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is set to have his appeal of a season-long suspension heard on Tuesday. An important factor in this hearing is the testimony of NFL executive Troy Vincent.
"The NFL Players Association has asked that Troy Vincent, the league's executive vice president of football operations, be compelled to testify as a 'central witness' in Adrian Peterson's appeal of his suspension, according to sources," ESPN's NFL Insider Chris Mortensen wrote.
"Jeffrey Kessler, the union's outside counsel, specifically stated in a letter to the NFL that Vincent must be cross-examined because he allegedly told Peterson he would not be subject to the league's new personal conduct policy, that he specifically told the Minnesota Vikings running back he would not be suspended for more than two games and that the time spent on the commissioner's exempt list would be considered time served."
Whether or not his testimony will merit a lifting of Peterson's suspension remains to be seen.
Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports noted a "lack of confidence... from the NFL Players Association that they're going to win his appeal. Unlike the Ray Rice case, this is a simple case of Roger Goodell taking action as part of a policy that gives him the power to do so.
"The NFLPA keeps hammering the fact (that) NFL director of football operations Troy Vincent told Adrian Peterson he would be credited for time served, and the union's argument on that point manifested in several reports on Sunday.
"But what many seem to be forgetting here is an NFL spokesman didn't deny the claim and said Peterson was indeed credited with time served. They're saying he was suspended the six-game standard for first-time offenders plus some more time for aggravating circumstances. Goodell outlined in his domestic-violence memo that such circumstances included an act committed in the presence of a child and an act with a weapon. Both apply here.
"Vincent's promise of time served, therefore, figures to be a moot point. Expect this to drag out with a federal lawsuit filed by the NFLPA after a failed appeal. This fight is far from over. In fact, it's just getting started."
Keep in mind, all of this is pure conjecture until a final decision is actually made. However, should this speculation be believed, it is unlikely we'll see Peterson on the field at any point during the rest of the season.
