Vikings’ Peterson could still be suspended if found not guilty

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson could still be suspended without pay even if he is found not guilty of felony child abuse, ESPN reported Sunday.

Peterson was charged in Texas stemming from the discipline of his 4-year-old son with a tree branch. He has been on the NFL’s exempt/commissioner’s permission list since Sept. 17 but is receiving his full $11.75 million salary.

He has been banned from all team activities until his case is resolved.

One area of agreement at last week’s owners meetings is that discipline for violating workplace and personal conduct rules should not require a conviction, according to the report.

That reaffirms previous league decisions regarding discipline in which players were suspended for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy even after they were found not guilty. That includes past discipline handed to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones.

Prosecutors in Texas want Peterson’s bail revoked and have him re-arrested after he told a drug tester that he recently smoked marijuana before taking a drug test.

Peterson has been free on $15,000 bond. A trial is scheduled to begin on Dec. 1.