Adrian Peterson could be set to return to the NFL this season

Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson has avoided jail time after he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in his child abuse case.

The All-Pro running-back and former league MVP pleaded no-contest to one count of misdemeanor reckless assault, and was given a $4,000 fine, as well as 80 hours of community service. The NFL and the Minnesota Vikings have not yet said whether they will impose a suspension on Peterson, who has been on the Commissioner Roger Goodell's exempt list since September. Goodell, who has been under fire for his handling of recent cases involving domestic violence, must now decide whether to impose a further suspension on Peterson, or to allow him to return to action possibly with a heavy fine to offset some of the more than $5million the 29-year-old has earned while away from the sport. It is then be up to the Vikings to decide if they wish to welcome Peterson, by now a divisive figure amongst fans, back to the locker room or instead attempt to trade or release him. However, Vikings' tight-end Kyle Rudolph has backed the return of Peterson this morning, saying it would be "crazy not to welcome him back into that locker room".