The Vikings’ first statement about Adrian Peterson post-plea deal was completely useless boilerplate. “We are aware of Adrian’s situation yada yada get back to us when our lawyers tell us it’s okay to say something.”
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Monday morning the Vikings released a second statement about Peterson that moves things slightly forward but not very much (via Vikings.com).
"In regards to Adrian Peterson’s status with the Minnesota Vikings, at this time his potential reinstatement is under NFL guidelines. As an organization, we respect and understand the league’s process. In the interim, our focus is on the team and preparing for this weekend’s game against the Bears."
Mike Zimmer in his Monday press conference basically reiterated the contents of the statement.
Zimmer: "We support (Peterson), but it's out of our hands." #Vikings
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) November 10, 2014
The Vikings are content right now to defer to the NFL. Reports over the weekend claimed there was a schism in the Vikings’ front office over whether to allow Peterson back when/if the NFL reinstates him.
There was also a report saying Vikings coaches want Peterson back.
From Zimmer’s words, it seems the coaching staff is ready to welcome Peterson back into the fold. But, as Zimmer said, it’s not up to him.
It’s all up to the NFL and whether they think it’s prudent, from a PR standpoint, to allow a perceived child beater back onto the field in a season that has already been heavily stained by domestic violence controversy.