NFL to appeal judge's ruling on Adrian Peterson

The NFL says it will appeal a Thursday ruling by a federal judge that clears the way for Minnesota Vikings runningback Adrian Peterson to be reinstated to the league, CBSSports.com reported.

The league suspended Peterson through at least April 15 under its personal conduct policy over allegations of child abuse. NFL arbitrator Harold Henderson upheld the suspension in December, despite Peterson's appeal. But on Thursday, U.S. District Judge David Doty overruled NFL arbitrator Harold Henderson's denial of Peterson's appeal.

In a statement, the NFL challenged Doty's order.

"...We believe strongly that Judge Doty's order is incorrect and fundamentally at odds with well-established legal precedent governing the district court's role in reviewing arbitration decisions."

The league has filed a notice of appeal for a review by the U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

For the time being, Peterson will be returned to the Commissioner Exempt List, meaning he will be listed in this category with the league while not appearing on the Viking's roster.

The placement is pending further proceedings by Henderson.

The crux of the issue was the application of the enhanced personal conduct policy, increasing a suspension for players involved with domestic violence from two games to six games. Because that was implemented after the injuries occurred to Peterson's son, delivered by a wooden switch that Peterson was using for discipline, the union contended that the prior standard of punishment should apply.

"Our collective bargaining agreement has rules for implementation of the personal conduct policy and when those rules are violated, our union always stands up to protect our players' rights," NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said. "This is yet another example why neutral arbitration is good for our players, good for the owners and good for our game."