Vikes won't speculate on possible return of Adrian Peterson

Nov 03, 2014

When the Vikings put Adrian Peterson on the Exempt List and his attorney, Rusty Hardin, made it clear the superstar running back intended to go to trial, it appeared Peterson's season had ended early.

But reports from ESPN and Pro Football Talk this weekend said that Peterson may reach a plea bargain as early as Tuesday and that the agreement would reduce the pending felony child-abuse charges to a misdemeanor.

If that's the case, it's not unthinkable that Peterson could return and play for the Vikings this season.

Here's what head coach Mike Zimmer had to say Monday when a reporter asked him about the situation:

"You sound like a coach with all those 'what ifs' in there," Zimmer said. "You know, I only go by what I see. Adrian has always been great with me. He's been top-notch, first-class, did everything I asked him to do. I'm not going to speculate on what happens, 'if' and 'when' and all this. When and if it happens then I'll be glad to talk to you about it."

Fantasy Impact:

ESPN's Chris Mortensen said it's "very possible" Peterson plays again with the Vikings this season, though he'll have to be reinstated by the league and the team would have to welcome him back. According to Mortensen, the team has been "softening" its stance towards their controversial running back. We still believe it's unlikely that Peterson plays, but owners with room on the bench may want to stash Peterson in case the chips fall into place. Remember, Mortensen isn't infallible. While the Josh Gordon saga was going on, he said that the chances of Gordon being fully reinstated were "100 percent." That obviously didn't happen.

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Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown's practice window to open "Friday or Monday"

Ian Rapoport

2 hours ago

Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown has received final clearance to practice, paving the way for him to play before the regular season ends.

Brown, who is recovering from surgery to repair his SC joint, should have his window opened Friday or Monday. The team will be cautious.

Fantasy Impact:

If Brown were cleared by Week 17, he would be incredibly tough to start in pretty much any sort of fantasy league with Championships on the line. However, he could be an interesting click for Playoff-only leagues if he can ramp up in time.

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker misses second straight practice

Adam Schefter

2 hours ago

For a second straight day today, Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III didn’t practice due to his calf injury.

Related Players: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh

Fantasy Impact:

Looks like things should be cleared out for Charbonnet once again in what could be a very close game against the Packers. If Walker misses Week 15, fire Charbs up as a high-end RB2.

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo, Nick Bosa, and Dre Greenlaw active for Week 15

Lindsey Pallares

3 hours ago

In Week 15, the red and gold have defensive lineman Nick Bosa and linebacker Dre Greenlaw active and ready for the team's second meeting with their NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams.

On the other side of the ball, the 49ers will have rookie running back Isaac Guerendo available against the Rams. He was listed as questionable on Wednesday on account of a foot sprain but was given the green light to play ahead of "Thursday Night Football."

Fantasy Impact:

We do expect Guerendo to handle the majority workload for TNF, but you do have to wonder if he gets the same type of workload he would have, had he avoided the injury report all week. Consider him closer to an RB3 than a locked-in RB2 he otherwise would have been.