Peterson cleared to return
Star running back Adrian Peterson returned to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, insisting he is not a child abuser and wanting “everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child” after he was charged with a felony in Texas for using a wooden switch to spank his 4-year-old son.
The Vikings had benched Peterson for Sunday’s 30-7 home loss to the New England and he had not commented publicly since news broke Friday that he had lashed the boy with the switch earlier this summer, causing unspecified injuries.
“I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser,” Peterson said in a nearly 500-word statement issued through his agency. “I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury.
“No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him. My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that’s what I tried to do that day.”
Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf said they had decided to bring back Peterson for practices and Sunday’s game at New Orleans “after significant thought, discussion and consideration.” The Wilfs said they want to let the legal process play out before making any more definitive decisions on Peterson’s future with the only NFL team he has ever played for.
Peterson faces a charge of reckless or negligent injury to a child, which carries penalties of up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. His initial court appearance in Conroe, Texas, near Houston, was scheduled for Oct. 8.
The Vikings’ decision to reinstate Peterson came on the same day the NFL announced that three experts in domestic violence will serve as senior advisers to the league and help shape policies.
“I accept the fact that people feel very strongly about this issue and what they think about my conduct,” Peterson said. “Regardless of what others think, however, I love my son very much and I will continue to try to become a better father and person.”
Rice’s admittance into intervention program rare
The program that former football star Ray Rice was allowed into instead of facing trial is used rarely in New Jersey domestic violence assault cases.
A review by the AP finds that of the 15,000 people with domestic violence assault charges adjudicated in state Superior Court from 2010 through 2013, 70 were allowed into pretrial intervention.
The players’ union announced it will appeal the indefinite suspension the NFL handed to Rice last week.
Rice originally was suspended two games under the NFL’s personal conduct policy for striking his then-fiancee in a hotel elevator.
Drug policy nearing changes
The NFL and the players’ union are close to finalizing the drug policy changes they tentatively agreed upon last week.
One key element is how the changes affect players currently under suspension, including Denver receiver Wes Welker (four games) and Browns receiver Josh Gordon (entire season). Their bans would be reduced, and the union wants to see that happen before Week 3 games are played.
Around the league
Bears cornerback Charles Tillman will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his right triceps. … The Chargers say running back Ryan Mathews has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee and the timetable for his return is unknown. … Redskins coach Jay Gruden is optimistic quarterback Robert Griffin III will return this season after an MRI showed no broken bones in Griffin’s injured left ankle. … Giants cornerback Walter Thurmond is going to miss the remainder of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. … A person familiar with the situation says Saints running back Mark Ingram has a broken hand and the timeline for his return is unclear.