EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman wouldn't comment Tuesday on the possible return of exiled star Adrian Peterson. But Peterson's teammates say they'd have no problem with him returning after the resolution of his court case in Texas.
"I think everybody's hopeful that he'll have an opportunity to come back," fullback Jerome Felton told USA TODAY Sports. "He'll definitely have 100% support in the locker room."
Peterson, 29, entered a no-contest plea to a reduced charge of misdemeanor reckless assault Tuesday afternoon in Texas, avoiding jail time and bringing an end to a saga that began Sept. 12, when he was indicted for injuring his 4-year-old son while whipping him with a tree branch in May.
The Vikings deactivated the 2012 NFL MVP for one game, briefly reinstated him and then worked with the NFL to place Peterson on the exempt list — in essence, paid leave — amid widespread backlash in the wake of the Ray Rice domestic assault case.
But the team never severed ties with its embattled halfback. Coach Mike Zimmer read a motivational text from Peterson to players before a Sept. 28 game against Atlanta. Players, including Felton, kept in touch with Peterson and publicly expressed support on numerous occasions.
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