The NFL must now make a decision about Adrian Peterson, reopening the painful discussions about domestic violence.

Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings running back, pleaded no contest on Tuesday to a charge of child injury. It’s a misdemeanor, and he did not admit guilt. He’ll pay a $4,000 fine, do 80 hours of community service (much of which will be in a public service announcement) and take parenting classes. His charge resulted from beating his 4-year-old son with a tree branch, leaving lacerations that were well documented in photos that were painful to see and hard to understand.

So can he play in the NFL again, this season or ever? He has been on the commissioner’s exempt list and drawing his full salary ($11.7 million) while missing eight games. Players with misdemeanors do not draw eight-game suspensions from the league, so shouldn’t he be allowed to resume his career?

The Vikings first called reports about Peterson’s infraction a case of parental discipline, then backed off. Now they’re in a wait-and-see mode. They have a bye this week but could certainly use him on the field when they return.

The NFL can’t be put in the position of countenancing Peterson’s behavior, but it could say he has paid an appropriate penalty given the court’s disposition of his case. He could be reinstated but docked pay. Surely the NFL will move cautiously so as not to reignite a hot button issue.

The history in sports is to demand contrition and then offer forgiveness. So watch what Peterson says and does, and then what the NFL says and does. The thinking here is you will see him on the field sooner rather than later.

Today’s question

Should Peterson be reinstated and allowed to play?

Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .