Vikings Change Their Minds, Suspend Adrian Peterson Indefinitely

The Minnesota Vikings said Adrian Peterson would play in Sunday's game against the Saints, but the team changed course Wednesday morning, placing the running back on the exempt/commissioner's permission list.

Peterson won't be around the team in any capacity, "allowing him to take care of his personal situation until the legal proceedings are resolved." Here's an excerpt from the Vikings' statement:

This has been an ongoing and deliberate process since last Friday's news. In conversations with the NFL over the last two days, the Vikings advised the League of the team's decision to revisit the situation regarding Adrian Peterson. In response, the League informed the team of the option to place Adrian on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list, which will require that Adrian remain away from all team activities while allowing him to take care of his personal situation until the legal proceedings are resolved. After giving the situation additional thought, we have decided this is the appropriate course of action for the organization and for Adrian.

Update (2:34 a.m.):

Update (2:44 a.m.): If you were wondering when the exempt/commissioner's permission list is used, we found a few instances. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed running back Jeff Demps on it in 2013 while he was pursuing his track career. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma was placed on it in 2012 after serving his ban for Bountygate, since he wasn't ready to play yet, according to the Advocate. Bucs safety Tanard Jackson was on the list in 2011 after serving a substance abuse ban. (Vilma and Jackson were allowed to practice, so the decision to keep Peterson away from the team was up to the Vikings.) MMQB's Robert Klemko found that the Eagles used that option for Michael Vick at the end of his dogfighting ban. So, the designation looks to cover a variety of reasons.

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