ADRIAN PETERSON: Suspension Overturned by Federal Judge

Adrian Peterson may soon be back in the game after a federal judge reinstated the Vikings star Thursday. However, the NFL appealed the ruling shortly after it was made.

The legal volleying means the Minnesota running back's status remains pretty much the same as it was, with the team issuing a two-sentence statement saying that his status will be decided by the NFL, the players' union and the legal system.

The Vikings' statement said, "Adrian Peterson is an important member of the Minnesota Vikings, and our focus remains on welcoming him back when he is able to rejoin our organization."

In the 16-page ruling on Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge David Doty said the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell didn't have the authority to suspend Peterson for more than two games. In response, the NFL put the running back on the commissioner's exempt list and filed an appeal.

The trouble started for Peterson back in May 2014 when it was discovered that he used a switch to whip his four-year-old son. (Star Tribune)

photo via cnn