On September 13, 2014, former superstar running back Adrian Peterson was charged with negligent injury to a child.

Peterson allegedly disciplined his son with a tree branch, which left bruises and cuts on his body. After Peterson turned himself in, he was released on a $15,000 bond.

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He pleaded no contest to his charge and was given two years of probation, 80 hours of community service, and a $4,000 fine. Peterson has since said that he regrets the incident and he takes full responsibility for his actions.

Peterson was a standout running back at the University of Oklahoma. He entered the 2007 NFL Draft, and he was selected No. 7 overall by the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson played 15 seasons in the NFL, where he was a four-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Second-Team All-Pro, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and he led the NFL in rushing yards in three seasons. He won the 2012 NFL MVP Award; he’s the last non-quarterback to win the award.

Peterson is eligible for the 2027 Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he will likely be a first-ballot selection.

Following his February arrest on suspicion of domestic violence, free-agent running back Adrian Peterson has agreed to complete 20 sessions of domestic violence and alcohol counseling within six months.

The altercation happened around 8:30 a.m. on February 13 on a Houston-bound plane—a “verbal and physical altercation between a male suspect and a female victim,” Peterson and his wife, Ashley.

“Purple Jesus” was booked in Los Angeles and later released on $50,000 bond.

Ashley later wrote on Instagram, “On Sunday, Adrian and I had a verbal argument. Unfortunately it was on an airplane. At no point did Adrian hit or strike me. This is a private matter between my husband and myself. We ask that everyone respect our privacy so we can focus on what matters most: our children.”

The 15-year NFL vet, who ended this past season on the Seattle Seahawks’ IR, says he plans to play next year. He sits at 14,918 career rushing yards and has also played for the Vikings, Washington, Cardinals, Lions, Saints and Titans.

Free-agent running back and longtime Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson was arrested on a felony for an alleged domestic violence incident.

Peterson, 36, was reportedly taken into custody on Super Bowl Sunday after an incident with his wife at LAX.

“Earlier today Adrian and his wife Ashley had a verbal argument on a flight, and he was removed from the plane,” a representative for the Petersons said. “This is a private misunderstanding between husband and wife, and we anticipate it will all be resolved shortly.”

In 2014, Peterson faced felony charges for alleged child abuse involving his four-year-old son. He pled no contest.

Peterson has played for six other teams in addition to the Vikes.

Interesting news coming from the Tennessee Titans as the team sign future Hall of Famer running back Adrian Peterson to their practice squad.

The Titans have signed a seasoned player to fill the giant void caused by Derrick Henry‘s fractured foot. Peterson joins his sixth NFL team as a practice squad player initially. However, he is expected to be active on Sunday night when Tennessee faces the Los Angeles Rams.

It could be a Super Bowl teaser if Peterson, the 2012 league MVP and three-time rushing champion, can help replace a fellow three-time rushing champion who was in the running for this year’s league MVP with a record 219 carries through eight games.

“I’ll be ready,” Peterson said.

Because of his veteran status, Tennessee knows it can’t give Peterson the full workload. That’s why they also signed 25-year-old D’Onta Foreman, a 2017 third-round pick who’s played with the Texans and Titans last year. They also have younger backs in Jeremy McNichols, Dontrell Hilliard and Mekhi Sargent.

“It feels good to get back into football movement and to sign with a contender,” Peterson said. “We have big shoes to fill for Derrick Henry, who I feel was the front runner for MVP, but I’m looking forward to contributing to the running back room and helping the Titans to win the division and to chase the ultimate goal of winning a championship.”

Between 2018 and last season, Peterson played all but one game while compiling 2,544 yards rushing and a 4.1 average. In 2018 with Washington, he ran for 1,042 yards and a 4.2 average. He averaged 3.9 yards while rushing for 604 yards in Detroit last year.

Eleven years and five teams later, Peterson is still going with a team he might actually be able to help go a long way. Who knows if Peterson will be able to hold against the new talent teams are bringing in. One thing is for sure, if Peterson aids the Titans in making it to the playoffs, there is a possibility Henry can make it back from his surgery.

Cam Akers, a critical part of the run game for the Rams, will miss the entirety of the 2021 season after tearing his Achilles. Akers suffered the injury during a workout; he underwent testing to confirm suspicions of the tear.

The Rams publicly announced his injury but did not provide information on a timetable for his return.

Akers was a critical cog in the backfield for the Rams during his rookie campaign. The budding superstar averaged 113.1 yards from scrimmage per game in the final seven games of the year. In the postseason, Akers recorded two touchdowns and a total of 272 yards from scrimmage.

Head Coach Sean McVay said that Los Angeles will attempt to replace Akers through those already on the roster before turning to the free-agent market. “We’ve got some young backs on our roster that I’m intrigued about seeing how they handle this opportunity. I don’t know that the veteran route is something that we’d rule out, but it’s not something we’re immediately looking to address right now,” said McVay.

Possible signings, should the Rams turn to veteran runningbacks, include Adrian Peterson, Le’Veon Bell, LeSean McCoy, Devonta Freeman, Duke Johnson and former Rams running back and fan-favorite Todd Gurley.

Akers sent out a tweet discussing his injury and his motivation to come back stronger than ever.

This is a big blow to a team that looked like they could make a Super Bowl run, especially after acquiring Matthew Stafford earlier in the offseason from the Detroit Lions. The Rams cannot be counted out by any means, however, their path to the Super Bowl just got a lot more difficult with the loss of their three-down running back.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have the chance to sign one of the all-time great running backs this offseason.

Despite being 35 years old, Adrian Peterson has no interest in retirement. The running back has his eyes set on the ultimate prize in the National Football League: a Super Bowl ring. After a season with the 5-11 Detroit Lions in which he rushed for 604 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns, Peterson sees Tampa Bay, the defending Super Bowl champions, as an optimal location to chase his first title. In particular, Peterson is drawn to playing with Bucs quarterback Tom Brady. As a 43 year old coming off of a Super Bowl campaign, Peterson sees Brady’s success and longevity in the game as attractive qualities in a teammate.

Peterson is currently fourth on the list of all time rushing yards, with 14,820. Only Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Frank Gore have rushed for more. If he were to join the Tampa roster, he would become part of a backfield which already holds a good amount of firepower in the duo of Ronald Jones III and Leonard Fournette. The 2012 NFL MVP would surely be able to provide a veteran voice to this young tandem, and support the Bucs’ efforts in repeating as Super Bowl champions.

Numerous NFL players have taken part in protests across the country in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. There have been talks of whether or not we will see protests by players while the national anthem is played at games this season. One NFL player has already come out and said that they will be protesting this season.

Washington Redskins’ running back Adrian Peterson, when asked by the Houston Chronicle if he will protest this year he said, “Yeah, without a doubt, without a doubt.”

Peterson’s reasoning goes back to Colin Kaepernick when he first knelt during the national anthem in 2017. “Just four years ago, you’re seeing Kaepernick taking a knee, and now we’re all getting ready to take a knee together going into this season, without a doubt,” he said.

The NFL and league commissioner Roger Goodell posted a video on social media Friday saying that the league will support its players who choose to protest peacefully.

After earning a estimated $100,000 over his career, Adrian Peterson‘s lawyer announced this week that the former league MVP and multi–year rushing champ is in serious debt after “trusting the wrong people.”

Peterson apparently owes DeAngelo Vehicle Sales a whopping $6.6 million after failing to complete several payments since taking out a loan while still playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2016. Peterson’s lawyer, Chase Carlson, offered little other information as he stated, “Because of ongoing legal matters, I am unable to go into detail, but I will say this is yet another situation of an athlete trusting the wrong people and being taken advantage of by those he trusted. Adrian and his family look forward to sharing further details when appropriate.”

Peterson apparently struck the conflicting deal with DeAngelo Vehicle Sales to relieve a $3.2 million debt to Thrivest Specialty Funding and a $1.34 million debt to Crown Bank. The financial complications for Peterson arose after the Vikings cut him following his knee injury and denied him a hefty $18 million, which Peterson most likely intended to pay off his initial debts with. These initial debts occurred due to some unfavorable moves from the bad investors who allegedly took advantage of Peterson. Unable to gather enough funds following his departure from Minnesota, Peterson finds himself severely behind payments to both Crown Bank as well as DeAngelo Vehicle Sales.

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This summer, Peterson inked a two–year, $5 million deal with to remain with the Washington Redskins. The once universally acclaimed best running back across the NFL spectrum continues to move into his career’s twilight years. Still illustrating his effectiveness at an older age, however, Peterson last year ran for an admirable 1,042 yards and seven touchdowns.

Peterson intended to see a judge this Monday, although a conflict of interest involving Peterson’s lawyer postponed the hearing until a later, unknown date.

The Washington Redskins are seeking to strengthen their rushing game this season, and thus met with several top running backs in free agency this week including veteran Adrian Peterson. 

Redskins Meet With Free Agent Adrian Peterson

Peterson, 33, visited the team on Monday. The seven-time Pro Bowler — a three-time NFL rushing yards leader who was also the Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 and a league MVP — was released by the Arizona Cardinals in March. Peterson spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, who drafted him as the seventh overall pick out of Oklahoma in 2007. Peterson suffered a neck injury late last season.

“I fly in tonight. I’m down for working out or whatever I have to do to make the team,” Peterson told ESPN.

On Sunday, Washington hosted running back Jamaal Charles, who played with the Denver Broncos last year after spending his first nine seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Redskins also met with former New York Giant Orleans Darkwa, who worked out with Washington.

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Redskins coach Jay Gruden told ESPN that his squad isn’t seeking a starting running back, as Rob Kelley is set to keep that position.

“We want to get physicals on them just in case,” Gruden said of Peterson, Charles and Darkwa. “We’ve had very unlucky situations with our running backs. If something else happens, we’ll be really, really, really thin. We want to make sure we’re covering all our bases right now, and we’ll address it when we feel like we have to.”

Gruden is right about Washington’s running backs situation. The team lost rookie Derrius Guice — a second-round pick out of LSU — to a season-ending knee injury in its first preseason game, and a pair of backups — Byron Marshall and Samaje Perine — recently injured their ankles.

Charles, 31, was the NFL’s rushing touchdowns leader in 2013 and is a four-time Pro-Bowler. He also averages a league record 5.4 yards per carry. He has logged 44 rushing touchdowns and 20 receiving scores in his career.

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Darkwa, 26, has played the last four seasons with the Giants. He led New York with 751 rushing yards in 2017, 154 of which came in the team’s regular-season finale, a victory over the Redskins. Darkwa — who is now completely healthy after undergoing leg surgery in May — has scored nine rushing touchdowns in his four-year pro career. Thus, it seems like he would be the weakest asset for Washington, while Peterson — one of the top NFL pass rushers of his generation —  would likely be the strongest.

Max Kellerman of ESPN’s First Take said Monday he was convinced Peterson would not be able to deliver a productive seasons for the Redskins should the team choose him. Kellerman cited the running back’s old age as one of his main reasons.

“Is [Peterson] going to give you production or replacement value? I don’t even know if he is replacement value at this point. Why not go with a young running back you may have around for four or five years?” said Kellerman. “Develop something. Why give those carries to a guy who can’t get average yards per carry?” he added of Peterson.

Adrian Peterson has confirmed that his season is over.

Adrian Peterson Injury news

The Arizona Cardinals running back sustained a neck injury last month in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has missed Arizona’s last two games. However, Peterson has vowed to return next season.

“The good news is my neck injury doesn’t require surgery, but I’m told by Dr. Robert Watkins that the best thing for me is just more rest than the length of the season,” he said. “Obviously, I’m disappointed about going on IR when my body is still able to produce but I look forward to returning completely healthy for another season in 2018. I’m grateful for the opportunity that the Arizona Cardinals have given me to show that I can still contribute on an NFL team.”

The Cardinals acquired Peterson in October in a trade with New Orleans in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick in 2018. The pass rusher is under contract through 2018 on a deal that is set to pay him $3.5 million.

Peterson rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns in his Cardinals’ debut Oct. 15, a 38-33 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After rushing for less than 30 yards the following two weeks in losses to Houston and Seattle, Peterson gained 79 yards on 20 carries during a 27-24 victory over Jacksonville.

He is now the 14th different player Arizona has placed on injured reserve this season.

David Johnson remains the Cardinals’ No. 1 running back, although he went on injured reserve after sustaining a fractured left wrist in the season opener at Detroit.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 18, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Adrian Peterson signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints early Tuesday, and the team’s players didn’t take long to react to the news on Twitter.

Saints Stars React to Adrian Peterson’s Two-Year, $7M Deal

The former Minnesota Vikings running back’s new contract is worth $7 million, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, and includes $3.5 million guaranteed in 2017, as well as a one-year option and a maximum of $8.25 million in incentives.

Rapoport added that New Orleans was the only team to formally offer Peterson, 32, a deal this offseason. The running back first visited the city two weeks ago as a free agent and the Saints took a continual interest in him.

“I am excited to be joining the New Orleans Saints,” Peterson told ESPN’s Josina Anderson. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity. Most importantly, I chose this team because it just felt right within my spirit. Additionally, my wife and family added their confirmation with the same feelings.

“On offense, it goes without saying that the Saints are really solid behind Drew Brees. I feel like my skill set can make them even more dominant as a unit. They have a great offensive line, which is something that stood out to me as well. I could tell from talking to head coach Sean Payton over the last two weeks that he did his due diligence in evaluating how I could contribute. I also did a lot of homework on the defense as well. While I know that injuries have played a role in performance, I also see areas of potential with a lot of younger guys having the ability to step up. Lastly, it goes without saying that the Saints have an amazing fan base and I look forward to making them proud and creating everlasting memories.”

Three Saints players took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to express similar excitement over Peterson’s move to New Orleans: safety Kenny Vaccaro, quarterback Chase Daniel, and linebacker Nathan Stupar. 

Peterson will hope to add depth to the Saints’ rushing game alongside starting running back Mark Ingram, a 27-year-old former first-round pick with two years remaining on his contract.

Ingram is coming off the best season of his career, 1,043 yards on 205 carries for a 5.1-yard per tote average with six touchdowns for New Orleans. He also added 46 catches for 319 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

The Saints lost veteran backup running back Tim Hightower to free agency. Hightower signed with the San Francisco 49ers last week.

Peterson, who spent his first ten NFL seasons with the Vikings, played only three games last season due to a torn meniscus suffered on Sept. 18. He returned in less than three months from that injury to play against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 18. However, he sat out Minnesota’s final two games because of an adductor strain he sustained in his first game back. He finished the season with 72 yards on 37 carries.

The running back, whose career rushing yards rank second to Frank Gore among active players, led the NFL in rushing yards in 2015 with 1,485. Peterson recovered from ACL surgery on his left knee to rush for 2,097 yards in 2012 and win the MVP. He has said he hopes to play football until his late 30s.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 18, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Oakland Raiders are reportedly interested in signing retired running back Marshawn Lynch, a source informed of the team’s interest told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Raiders Interested in Marshawn Lynch, Jets Sign Morris Claiborne

Lynch, who will be 31 next month, was known as “Beast Mode,” and was one of the top running backs in the NFL.

He was selected as a first-round pick (No. 12) out of California in 2007 by the Buffalo Bills, with whom he spent three seasons. He then played six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and announced his retirement during Super Bowl 50.

In his last full season back in 2014, Lynch carried the ball 280 times for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns. In his last game on Jan. 17, 2016— a playoff matchup against the Carolina Panthers—he carried the ball six times for 20 yards.

Weeks after he announced his retirement during Super Bowl 50 by tweeting a picture of his cleats hanging on a wire, Lynch shut down rumors suggesting that picture was merely implying he would only temporarily step away from football. Lynch made clear in an exclusive interview that his retirement was permanent.

The Raiders let one of their own running backs, 27-year-old Latavius Murray, become a free agent, and Murray was then quickly signed by the Minnesota Vikings. Following this revelation, veteran Adrian Peterson said he would not be returning to play for the Vikings. Murray said in an Instagram post on Thursday that he had no intention whatsoever of replacing Peterson, because he called Peterson “irreplaceable.”

In other NFL news, the New York Jets announced Friday they are signing former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne as a replacement for Darrelle Revis, who was released two weeks ago following an altercation that saw him receive five charges. All of Revis’ charges were ultimately dropped. Claiborne joins the Jets on a one-year deal worth more than $5 million, Rapoport reported, via a source informed of the situation.

The 27-year-old Claiborne is coming off perhaps his strongest NFL season since being drafted sixth overall out of LSU in 2012. The cornerback played just seven games before going down with a severe groin injury that sidelined him until the playoffs. He has played more than 11 games just once in five NFL seasons.

Claiborne was ranked No. 44 overall in Around The NFL’s list of the Top 101 free agents.

SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks warms up prior to playing the San Francisco 49ers in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Adrian Peterson limped off the field at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in the third quarter of the Minnesota Vikings‘ 17-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers Sunday night after sustaining a right knee injury.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Has Knee Injury In 17-14 Win Over Packers

Although it’s not yet clear exactly how serious the Vikings running back’s injury is, Peterson will likely miss at least one week.

The 31-year-old’s leg was wrapped in a giant black knee brace, and when he walked out of the stadium Sunday, he was on crutches.

Peterson finished with 19 yards on 12 carries in quarterback Sam Bradford’s debut with Minnesota. Bradford completed 22 of 31 passes for 286 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers, just 15 days after he arrived in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“He can throw the ball,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “He’s got some toughness about him, and this isn’t his first rodeo.”

If Peterson’s injury turns out to be serious, Minnesota will likely turn to Matt Asiata or Jerick McKinnon to start at running back.

After Peterson went down, Asiata took most of the carries Sunday night. (six carries, 14 yards). Nevertheless, that probably won’t continue. The fifth-year back is as strong as a brick, which means he will likely be the Vikings’ go-to guy in goal-line and short-yardage situations.

Meanwhile, McKinnon– who was a rookie in 2014– carried the ball 113 times during Peterson’s absence. He only carried the ball twice against Green Bay.

Zimmer said Peterson is scheduled to have an MRI Monday morning and that the team isn’t expecting the injury to be overly serious.

Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs caught nine passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota (2-0) held the Packers (1-1) to 65 total yards in the first half, withstanding an early touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson on a drive aided by two penalties from cornerback Terence Newman. 

“They didn’t win the division last year by accident. You do have to give them their credit,” said Mike Daniels, who had one of Green Bay’s four sacks.

Cornerback Trae Waynes, who had two penalties himself, intercepted Rodgers’ pass in Vikings territory with 1:30 remaining to secure the victory. The previous drive was cut short by a strip sack by Brian Robison, when Shamar Stephen recovered at the Minnesota 44 with 6:53 left.

Rodgers, who ran for 29 yards and a touchdown, finished 12 for 21 for 154 yards in the second half, although Bradford was the stronger quarterback of the evening.

Bradford found Diggs for a 4-yard completion on fourth-and-1 from the 18. He then hit Kyle Rudolph for an 8-yard touchdown pass three plays later.

“When quarterbacks and receivers are on time, they’re very tough to stop,” said Packers cornerback Damarious Randall, who was matched up with Diggs for most of the game.

Bradford was hit hard on his non-throwing had by Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews while following through on a pass.

The Vikings aggressively traded two premium draft picks including next year’s first-rounder to Philadelphia to fetch Bradford after quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went down with a huge left knee injury. Minnesota also boldly shunned a field goal attempt early in the second quarter.

Bradford praised his offense following the game.

“These guys have had my back from day one,” Bradford said.

The Vikings will next visit the Carolina Panthers on Sunday for Week 3, while the Packers will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 18: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 18, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson pulled his hamstring before training camp, doing a workout in the pre, pre-season. According to ESPN, Peterson passed his physical and was working on the sideline with athletic staff so he is not immobile.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said Peterson isn’t able to practice at full intensity but he was on the field this past weekend for the kick off of NFL training camp.

Back-up backs have been getting more reps in including Jerick McKinnon. Last season McKinnon led the team in yards per carry with a 5.2 yard average and he played in all 16 games.

Zimmer said the injury wasn’t serious. “It’s good to see some of these young backs,” Zimmer said. “But [Peterson will] be out fairly soon, I think.”

There is nothing 31-year-old Peterson can do but rest until he’s ready to go full boar.

As a rookie McKinnon also let the Vikings in yards per carry with a 4.8 yard average. In a game against the Atlanta Falcons last year McKinnon broke for 135 rushing yards on 18 carries with a long of 55 and became the first rookie since Peterson in 2007 to break 100 yards in a game.

Other running backs for the Viking are Matt Asiata who in his fifth year in the league and averaged 3.9 yards per carry last season. C.J Ham is a rookie who signed as a free agent in May and comes from Division II Augustana University in Sioux Fall, South Dakota. He rushed for 1,097 yards and 16 touchdowns last season and had three games that he rushed 100-plus yards.

A look at the first day of Vikings training camp.

If there’s one NFL running back who has proven several times that he can continue to deliver great performances compared to other running backs around his age, it’s Adrian Peterson. 

Vikings’ Adrian Peterson Says He May Retire Early Due To ‘Boring’ Training Routine

The 31-year-old Minnesota Vikings star, is the league’s reigning rushing champion, and there appears to be little doubt in his or his trainer James Cooper’s mind that he can deliver again next year or perhaps even break Emmitt Smith’s career rushing record.

However, it’s the toll of the grind– rather than his age or anything else– that may eventually do him in, Peterson recently said.

In an interview with ESPN on Monday, Peterson stated he believes his body will hold up as long as he wishes to play. He is 6,681 yards away from Smith’s all-time rushing record, and even though only 12 players have ever surpassed 1,000 yards in a season at age 31, the running back isn’t fazed.

The factor that will most determine how long Peterson has left in his career, however, will be how much longer he is willing to undergo the boredom of NFL life.

“That’s it. Training camp, going through the grind, OTAs and all that — that will definitely be the deciding factor,” Peterson said. “Physically, body-wise, I’ll be good. It’s just mentally — like with OTAs, I’m out there practicing, I’m going, I’m putting in work. But it’s so repetitive that it’s more suited toward the young guys and getting them into the system. It gets kind of boring.”

When reminded how many times his old teammate, former quarterback Brett Favre, seemed to come out of retirement right around the time a minicamp or training camp was over, Peterson joked, “I might have to try that.”

The running back is far from being the first veteran to grow tired of training camp, but Peterson stated his eyes were open during his suspension last season, when he had more time to be at home with his wife, Ashley, and his son, Adrian Jr.

Peterson received a suspension from the NFL in November 2014 after an investigation into the running back’s discipline of one of his children, which involved using a switch. Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault, was forced to pay a $4,000 fine and serve 80 hours of community service, and was reinstated by the league in April 2015.

Peterson has five other children, including a son Axyl, who was born last September.

“All that could be a deciding factor for me, too,” he said. “The kids and all that, that plays a role, because I love spending time with my kids, and they’re getting older now. We’ll see how things play out. I think you just have to wait for that time to come, and it will feel right or it will feel wrong. Right now, it feels good. It feels right [to be playing].”

Peterson has averaged 1,297 yards for his career. The seven-time Pro Bowler was drafted by the Vikings as the seventh overall pick in 2007 out of Oklahoma.

“To the public, he’s Adrian Peterson. He’s this workout king,” Cooper said. “But to me, he’s just another number. He’s literally someone who still hasn’t reached his full potential.”

Cooper added that his main suggestion to Peterson was for him to retire when he knows he can’t put in the same level of effort during the offseason.

Peterson just came off a season where he led the league in carries (327), yards (1,485) and rushing touchdowns (11).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGPnWouY9P8

Caption:MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 20: Shea McClellin #50 of the Chicago Bears wraps up Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter of the game on December 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Bears 38-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

In September, Joseph Patterson was convicted of murdering two-year-old Tyrese Ruffin.  On Thursday, Patterson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole . He will also serve a concurrent sentence of 25 years for aggravated battery.

Ruffin was the son of Minnesota Vikings‘ running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson found out that Ruffin was his son two months before his death; the two had met for the first time a day before he passed.

Authorities stated that Patterson allegedly assaulted the boy and an autopsy concluded that Ruffin had sustained four blows to the head, causing his brain to bleed. Patterson maintained the boy was choking on a fruit snack and he had attempted to perform CPR.

Following the sentence, Patterson maintained his claims of innocence. “This is probably where people expect a guilty person to turn around and ask for forgiveness,” Patterson began. “I’m not guilty. All I did was try to help,” he said according to the Argus Leader. “Losing Ty felt like losing a piece of my heart. Put yourself in my shoes. Imagine dealing with that pain … and then be left with the finger pointed at you.”

Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson has been having one of the best seasons of his career this year and it seems he is showing no signs of stopping. During Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Peterson finished the game with a whopping 203 yards and one touchdown, bringing his total yardage this season to 961 yards, in which he leads the league currently in rushing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9_mF14lojA

The play that got him over 200 yards rushing for the game was an 80-yard rushing touchdown that won the game for the Vikings over the Raiders. With this play, Peterson has tied Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson for the most games with 200-yards rushed in NFL history.

Peterson, who missed all but one game last year due to child abuse charges bestowed upon him, has had a stellar career since being drafted in 2007 by the Vikings. His breakout year was in 2012 when he rushed for 2,097 yards for the season and was nine yards away from breaking the single season all-time record set by Eric Dickerson, but would eventually win the NFL MVP award.

Superstar Adrian Peterson decided to return to Minnesota Vikings practice today.

Adrian Peterson Returns To Practice

After a Shakespearean-like saga, Adrian Peterson has agreed to show up to Tuesday’s OTA session, according to ESPN.

“I’m returning because I want to. I’m a part of this football team and I owe it to the guys I play with and to our coaches,” Peterson said in an email to ESPN. “I was planning on coming in this week, and I’m looking forward to getting back on the field. It’s what I love to do.”

Again, the Peterson saga began when he was indicted on child abuse charges way back in September 2014. Since then, he was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, before officially being suspended indefinitely. Roger Goodell’s ruling was eventually overturned by a judge, but the commissioner did not reinstate the superstar until April 17.

However, during his time away from football, the Vikings halfback displayed displeasure with the way Minnesota treated him during the incident. This resulted in several quotes, displaying a level of discomfort with returning to the organization. Even his agent, Ben Dogra, felt that Minnesota was a bad fit for his client, but to be fair he also got into a verbal altercation with Vikings vice president Rob Brzezinski.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6a9FHK51yg

Still, the Vikings would not budge, as Coach Mike Zimmer, who previously met with Peterson to try and better the relationship, basically gave the superstar an ultimatum: play for us or play for no one. This resulted in last week’s Twitter tirade where Peterson complained about player rights, which was neither the time or place to do so.

“I’ve been watching this game from the sidelines for far too long,” Peterson continued. “My teammates and coaches are important to me. Those relationships matter, and I owe it to those guys. I knew I wanted to come in this week. I had a family obligation last week but I’m ready to put on a Vikings uniform again and get back to work.”

As for injecting him into a thriving Minnesota offense, this certainly ups the Vikings’ chances to be in the postseason. “I know what kind of offense Norv Turner runs, and this year there was a lot of production out of the shotgun formation with the passing game and the running game,” Peterson said. “I feel like I bring a different dynamic to the back end and with that it will allow for different formations to be presented that will allow the quarterback to be comfortable.”

As for his OTA bonus, he should not lose out on the $250,000: in past seasons, he missed a few OTA practices, but was never penalized by the organization, according to ESPN.

Throughout the last few weeks, there was a lot of speculation on why Peterson would not return: some claimed that he wanted a trade, while others said he wanted more money. Either way, the Vikings would not budge, which could be why he eventually decided to return.

Well, in the midst of missing OTAs, Adrian Peterson has graced the public with an epic Twitter rant about NFL players’ rights – aka his feelings about the Minnesota Vikings situation.

Adrian Peterson’s Epic Twitter Rant

And while I do agree that NFL players need more rights — Roger Goodell rules over the league with an iron fist and it is the NFLPA’s fault — I disagree with the way Peterson is going about this situation.

Basically, what he is talking about is an ‘opt-out clause,’ which is used in the NBA and MLB. There, players have the ability, after a certain amount of years, to opt-out of their contract – this is specifically written into the deal during the signing period.

Most noteworthy, Kevin Love has the ability to opt-out of Cleveland after this year and Giancarlo Stanton’s massive contract with the Marlins offers him a chance to leave after 2020.

On top of offering the player a way out, it also gives them leverage to negotiate an even bigger deal with the team: Alex Rodriguez did this with the Yanks in 2007, as he turned his $72 million contract into a ten-year deal worth $275 million.

Now, I will not say that the opt-out clause is perfect nor is the NFL’s policy 100 percent terrible: the guaranteed money clause keeps some culpability on the player if he does not play well. Still, Peterson, in the current climate, is lucky to still be wearing a NFL uniform. As Ray McDonald and Ray Rice have shown, careers can now die due to off-the-field incidents, making him extremely lucky that his child abuse charges did not do the same thing.

In the end, what he said was somewhat right — the players need more power — but the awkward question is should he really be the face of this cause? Between the child abuse charges and his current contract — he is by far the highest paid running back in the league — his pleas for player and organization equality might fall on deaf ears.

Either way, this is the current state of the NFL. And, love it or hate it, he has to show up to the Vikings training camp or simply retire, stubbornly foregoing more than $40 million in the next three years.

Today, the Adrian Peterson saga continues, as the famous running back missed his second day of organized team activities (OTA), leading to some frustration from second-year head coach Mike Zimmer.

Mike Zimmer Gives Adrian Peterson Ultimatum

So after missing his second day of OTAs, Mike Zimmer basically gave the superstar an ultimatum: play for Minnesota or no one at all.

“He’s not going to play for anybody else,” Zimmer adamantly told the press.

Now, this would not be a big deal if it was any other player: in fact, veterans, fined or not, choose to miss these OTAs all the time.  However, the Peterson saga has gotten a lot of airtime during the offseason — specifically about how the player does not want to go back to Minnesota after the events of last year.

As most remember, Peterson was suspended for most of 2014 after pleading no contest to child abuse. Eventually, he won a court against the NFL in February and, as a result, could have been reinstated before the initial April date: instead, Commissioner Goodell flexed his muscles and waited until April 17 to officially reinstate him.

Before these events, Peterson showed hesitation about going back to the Vikings: “If I left it up to [my wife], I’d be somewhere else today… But there are some things that I’m still uneasy about.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaBPj2nELco

On top of this, there were various problems between Adrian’s agent, Ben Dogra, and the Vikings organization, including a scuffle between the agent and Vikings vice president Rob Brzezinski. Up until the beginning of April, Dogra was still voicing his displeasure with Minnesota: “I don’t think it’s in Adrian’s best interest to play in Minnesota. Why would it be?”

But the Vikings have maintained that they will not trade or release him, as Peterson’s contract does not expire until after the 2017 season. He is still owed over $46 million in his final three years with the NFC North team.

Still, after his comments, Zimmer downplayed the situation. “He’s missed a lot of OTAs over the course of his career. I’m not worried about it,” the coach said. “I’ve got 89 guys out here that I’m coaching to try and get better.”

As for when he will return, Zimmer is unsure: “I don’t know when he’s coming. We’ll just leave it at that.”