MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Minnesota Vikings Chief Operating Officer Kevin Warren said he would welcome All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson back to the team with "open arms," according to ESPN's Ben Goessling.
"I think I've made it very clear how I personally feel about Adrian, how our organization feels about him," Warren told Goessling Thursday. "[Vikings president] Mark Wilf made it very clear yesterday. ... Last year was a complicated year, at various levels, but once Adrian gets all of his items resolved with the NFL, is free to play again and rejoin our franchise, I think it's good for Adrian. It'd be good for us, it'd be good for all the Vikings fans, it'd be good for our community and it'd be good for the NFL."
Peterson cannot be reinstated into the NFL until at least April 15, after sitting out most of the 2014 season after his no-contest plea to a misdemeanor reckless assault charge. The charge stemmed from Peterson using a "switch," or tree branch, to discipline and ultimately injure his 4-year-old son. Peterson was suspended on Nov. 18.
"I won't ever use a switch again," Peterson told USA Today. "There's different situations where a child needs to be disciplined as far as timeout, taking their toys away, making them take a nap. There's so many different ways to discipline your kids."
Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf said Wednesday that the team would welcome back Peterson.
Kevin Warren on a conference call with a few reporters right now. Said he would welcome Peterson back with open arms.
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingESPN) February 12, 2015"Well, there's a lot of legal matters playing out with Adrian," Wilf told the Star Tribune. "Coach [Mike] Zimmer and Rick [Spielman] have spoken that Adrian is a Minnesota Viking and we appreciate what he has done in the community. We understand that he has to go through some processes personally, but sure, we would like to have him back."
Peterson turns 30-years-old on March 21. The six-time Pro Bowl selection signed a seven-year, $96 million contract in 2011, with $36 million guaranteed. Peterson is due to make $12.75 million in 2015, $14.75 million in 2016, and $16.75 million in 2017, before becoming a free agent in 2018. Peterson has scored 91 touchdowns in 104 career games.
