Report: Adrian Peterson accepts plea deal, NFL to review case

Nov 04, 2014

Adrian Peterson is on the verge of resolving his legal issues.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the Minnesota Vikings running back agreed to a deal in a Montgomery County (Texas) courtroom that includes pleading no contest to one count of misdemeanor reckless assault and no jail time, according to a source involved with the legal proceedings.

Peterson will be placed on probation. The agreement must be approved by a judge before it becomes official. The District Attorney's office and Peterson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, did not comment.

The plea deal could clear Peterson for a return to the field, but the situation remains fluid. Rapoport reported Monday that Peterson won't be immediately reinstated and active after taking a plea deal, according to two sources with direct knowledge of his situation.

The NFL released a statement Tuesday on Peterson's future status: "We will review the matter and make a determination. We cannot provide a timetable."

Fantasy Impact:

It appears that the Peterson case is resolved, so it’s up to the NFL and Roger Goodell to decide whether he should be reinstated immediately or serve some sort of suspension. There is a strong argument that the eight games he has missed (with pay) should count as a suspension since he is not gaining games towards an accrued season, per the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement. The NFL has declined to put any timetable on the decision, saying only that it will review the court documents.

Then there is the matter of the Vikings welcoming him back. Their initial response was to let him play citing “due process,” but the team received a major backlash from the community and, probably more importantly, their sponsors. This led to Peterson going on the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission List. Has the fury died down enough for Peterson to rejoin the team? He is signed through 2017, so the Vikings only real option is to cut him, because they can’t suspend Peterson for the same conduct under league rules. Cutting a talent like Peterson seems unlikely, though the Vikings may proceed slowly to gauge community and sponsorship reaction.

The bottom line is that we would certainly add Peterson if he’s available on the waiver wire, but it’s no sure thing that he returns to become a fantasy factor this season. Our rest-of-season rankings will provide a better picture of where he stands among players at his position, but whether owners pick him up will depend on their team’s individual makeup and needs. Still, even if there is only a small chance Adrian Peterson returns to make an impact this season, the upside makes him worth an aggressive waiver wire bid.

yesterday

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo (foot) listed as DNP Tuesday

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 6:31 PM EST

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan shared his team’s pre-practice injury report at a Tuesday press conference and it was the same as Monday’s estimated one, so several key players are on the sideline ahead of Thursday’s game against the Rams.

Among them was RB Isaac Guerendo.

Related players: Patrick Taylor, Israel Abanikanda

Fantasy Impact:

Guerendo had a great game in Week 14, but left with a sprained foot. Guerendo said afterward he felt great and it was just precautionary. However, we know by now we can't always trust when a player talks about his status for the following week. The DNPs for both Monday and Tuesday are not a great sign for Guerendo's chances to play in Week 15, which is a short week against the Rams on Thursday Night Football. Guerendo's practice status for Wednesday will hopefully will give us a better idea. Taylor would likely be next up for the 49ers if Guerendo can't go.

Moore: Eagles want to 'increase the likelihood' WR A.J. Brown gets the ball

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 4:49 PM EST

Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown’s comment that the team’s passing offense needs to improve in the wake of Sunday’s 22-16 win over the Panthers has been the biggest topic of conversation of the week in Philadelphia and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore got his chance to weigh in on it Tuesday.

Moore said he speaks to Brown and other members of the offense every week and said “the flows of seasons” call for weekly conversations about how to get the most out of the passing offense. Part of that process for this week is working on ways to get the ball to Brown after he was targeted four times against Carolina.

“I’m going to focus more on trying to find different ways of increasing the likelihood of the ball going to him,” Moore said, via a transcript from the team.

Fantasy Impact:

Brown came out and criticized the passing game after just getting by the Panthers in Week 14. The Eagles, thanks to Saquon Barkley, have been a run-first team this year, and it's largely worked, thanks also to an improved defense. DeVonta Smith has also voiced frustration recently. The Eagles aren't likely to stop giving Barkley the ball, but we've had a few stories in the news this week featuring unhappy WRs, and there can often be a bit of a change in the game plan to keep players happy. The Eagles host the Steelers this week, so things may not come easy again for the offense.

Steelers call WR George Pickens doubtful, outside chance to play

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 12:37 PM EST

The Steelers did not have receiver George Pickens for their Week 14 victory over the Browns and they are likely to be without him again against the Eagles on Sunday.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said in his Tuesday press conference that Pickens could be characterized as doubtful for Week 15, but there is still an outside chance he’ll play.

Fantasy Impact:

The Steelers thought Pickens would play last week but was eventually ruled out. After Sunday’s contest, Pickens underwent an MRI, which revealed the injury was more significant than initially believed, the story said. Reports from those who follow the team on Monday mentioned it was unlikely Pickens would play, and that's certainly looking like the case.