Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson Reinstated; Team Looking Forward to His Return

Adrian Peterson is back with the Minnesota Vikings after being off the field for seven months.

ESPN reported that the running back will be reinstated on April 17 and can join the team's offseason training. Previously, Peterson was put on the exemption list after he was charged with misdemeanor reckless injury after physically hurting his son to discipline him and pleaded no contest on November 4, 2014. The league suspended Peterson on November 18, and was put on the exempt list on February 26.

Peterson was suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2014 season after he refused to attend a disciplinary hearing in November, as the NFLPA attacked the NFL for its inconsistent application of disciplinary measures among players, Yahoo Sports wrote. Subsequently, the NFL vacated the suspension after a federal court ruled such punishment improper.

Based on a report by USA Today, on April 16, the league stated, "Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings was advised today that effective tomorrow he is reinstated as an active NFL player and may participate in all scheduled activities with the Vikings."

The statement continued, "In a letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell, Peterson was informed that he is expected to fulfill his remaining obligations to the authorities in Minnesota and Texas, as well as the additional commitments Peterson made during his April 7 meeting with the commissioner regarding maintaining an ongoing program of counseling and treatment as recommended by medical advisors."

The Minnesota Vikings will begin their offseason training on April 20 and feature their first mandatory minicamp in June, ESPN added. The Vikings shared their excitement over the news that the running back was reinstated. However, ESPN also noted that Ben Dogra, Peterson's agent, said that Peterson wanted to leave the team even if the Vikings already expressed that they want him back on the roster and have no intention of trading him. Peterson still has an existing contract with Minnesota for three more years, with a base salary of $12.75 million in 2015.

The Vikings stated, "The Minnesota Vikings have been informed by the NFL that Adrian Peterson has been reinstated. We look forward to Adrian rejoining the Vikings."

According to the NFL, if Peterson violates the personal conduct policy again, there will be additional disciplinary sanctions, including possible suspension without pay or banishment from the league.

The rest remains with Peterson. Yahoo Sports reported that the running back was not happy that the team did not stand by him as he faced his legal woes. The team and Peterson are expected to sort things out during the offseason.