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Adrian Peterson: Minnesota Vikings running back reaches a plea deal and is not expected to serve jail time for hitting his child with a branch

The NFL player could be placed on probation, pay a fine and do community service

Tom Sheen
Tuesday 04 November 2014 19:11 GMT
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Adrian Peterson has reached a plea deal and is not expected to serve any jail time, according to reports in the US.

The Minnesota Vikings running back is currently suspended indefinitely by his team and on commissioner Roger Goodell's exempt list after it emerged he was facing a child abuse charge relating to disciplining his child with a tree branch.

But, according to ESPN and ProFootballTalk, who cite sources with knowledge of the situation, Peterson will not enter a plea to one misdemeanour count of reckless assualt; the pleas will not include any references to family violence or violence against a minor.

If Judge Kelly accepts the 29-year-olds plea, then the NFL star could be put on probation, pay a $2,000 (£1,249) fine and perform 80 hours of community service.

The NFL Players Association will likely argue that Peterson, who has been paid in full during his absence, should be reinstated and pay a fine.

Because he is on the exempt list only commissioner Goodell has the power to reinstate him.

It is so far unclear what his team, who have remained silent since he was suspended, plan to do should Peterson return, though he is a former league MVP and commands the biggest salary; he is two years into a six-year, $86m contract.

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