Arbitrator upholds Adrian Peterson’s suspension
The league-appointed arbitrator for Adrian Peterson’s appeal Friday affirmed his unpaid suspension until at least next spring, the final result of the child-abuse case that kept the Minnesota Vikings running back out of all but one game this season and widened the rift between the NFL and its players over the fairness of the disciplinary process.
Peterson has been fined more than $4.1 million as part of the punishment from the NFL. He will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15.
Peterson told ESPN that he has considered retirement during his time away from the Vikings.
“I’ve thought about getting back into the real estate business in Texas I’m already in,” Peterson said in the interview with ESPN. “I’ve thought about going after the Olympics – you only live once. It might be time for me to pursue that, too.”
Browns’ Manziel confident
If a photograph of rookie Johnny Manziel hangs in the Cincinnati Bengals’ locker room punctured by darts, the Cleveland Browns’ new starting quarterback wouldn’t be bothered one bit.
Defenses target all quarterbacks, but the bull’s-eye on Manziel’s back is gigantic because of his celebrity.
“I think I welcome it,” Manziel said after practice. “I think I accept that, and I’ve been a guy that’s had a lot of hate spewed towards me.”
Kansas City’s Hali fined
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali was fined $16,537 for his hit on Arizona quarterback Drew Stanton, the league announced.
Hali was assessed a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer in the first half of the Chiefs’ 17-14 loss to Arizona on Sunday.
Quick kicks
San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews missed practice and is questionable for Sunday’s game with the Denver Broncos. Mathews, who injured his ankle in Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots, hasn’t practiced this week. … Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said that quarterback Drew Stanton will not require surgery on his injured right knee. Arians said he hasn’t decided whether Ryan Lindley or rookie Logan Thomas would start in Stanton’s place in the next game against the Seattle Seahawks.