peterson

Adrian Peterson is finally returning to Minnesota. The All-Pro running back told ESPN on Tuesday morning that he will attend OTAs after a tumultuous nine-month absence following the highly controversial child abuse case last September.

Josina Anderson reported the news with the following statement from Peterson:

I decided to come back just to get around my teammates and the coaching staff. There’s never been any love lost with those guys. Basically it’s time for me to come in and test the waters and re-familiarize myself with our offense and the direction they’re trying to go in.

He also addressed the supposed clearing of air between him and head coach Mike Zimmer, who last week said Peterson can either play for the Vikings or not play.

The conversation between Mike Zimmer and I went well. He was able to express what place [his comments] came from and I was able to listen. I was also able to express how I received that and we came to common ground about it. That was the end of it. I told him to tell the family I said hello and I’ll see you next week.

Peterson only played in one game last season before being placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, a move that did not allow him to play in the team’s finally 15 games but still entitled him to his full salary. He was later suspended for the remainder of the season until being reinstated in April. He is scheduled to make $12.75 million this season.

 

Photo Courtesy: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images