National Football League

Report: Peterson won't attend appeal hearing Thursday

Published Dec. 3, 2014 8:02 p.m. ET

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Adrian Peterson won't attend the conclusion of his suspension appeal hearing Thursday when NFL executive Troy Vincent is scheduled to testify, two people familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Peterson gave a statement without testifying on Tuesday, according to one person. Another person said hearing officer Harold Henderson asked Vincent to testify after the NFL Players Association submitted an audio tape and a transcript of a conversation between Vincent and Peterson as evidence.

Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither side is discussing the case publicly.

According to one source, Vincent, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, told Peterson he would be credited with time served while he was on a special exempt list and receive a two-game suspension if he attended a disciplinary hearing Nov. 14 with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Peterson skipped that meeting and four days later Goodell suspended him for the rest of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Peterson will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15.

The 2012 NFL MVP hasn't played for the Minnesota Vikings since Week 1 after he was charged with child abuse in Texas. He was placed on paid leave while the legal process played out, and he pleaded no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault for injuring his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch.

Though he won't be there in person, Peterson may listen to Vincent's testimony on a conference call. The two sides could reach a settlement before Thursday, avoiding a potentially messy situation.

If Peterson is granted reinstatement, it's unlikely that he'll play this season. The Vikings are 5-7 and took heat for initially reinstating him to the roster in September.