Running back Adrian Peterson has been suspended by the NFL for the rest of the 2014 season.
When Peterson finally does return to the NFL, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer wants him to do so in Minnesota.
“I think Adrian wants to be back here,” Zimmer told ESPN. “You have to ask him. I don’t know. But I know he does have an awful lot of people here who have supported him, and I don’t know who he’s speaking of who doesn’t.
The NFL will not consider Peterson for reinstatement until April 15, 2015 but the running back does have an appeal for his suspension scheduled for Dec. 2.
“All I know of Adrian is that he’s always been great with me, always done what I’ve asked him to do, and I kind of go by what I see.”
Peterson has spent all eight years of his NFL career with the Vikings and thus has a lot of support within the locker room according to Zimmer.
“Throughout the whole season we’ve known he’s been gone and I think players were disappointed with the ruling,” Zimmer told ESPN. “It’s really about Adrian taking care of himself. Everybody really likes this kid, feels like they hope he comes out of this thing good. So it’s more concern for him than anything else.”
Chances of Peterson returning to the field this year are slim to none.
The 29-year-old Peterson is owed $12.75 million for 2015 which may be the bigger reason that his return to the Vikings is not assured regardless of what Zimmer and company are publicly saying.
