As expected, the NFL Players Association has filed a lawsuit challenging Friday’s decision to uphold the suspension imposed on Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
The 74-page document, filed in Minneapolis federal court, does not request that the suspension be lifted while the litigation is pending. While a separate motion for preliminary injunction and/or request for a temporary restraining order could be filed, a league source previously told PFT that Peterson has decided not to force the issue in order to return and play this season.
The goal via the litigation becomes securing reinstatement for Peterson as early as possible in the offseason, so that he’s not required to wait until April 15 for the NFL to revisit his status. Likewise, Peterson hopes to minimize the number of game checks he’ll lose.
That number currently is six. The legal action argues that Peterson’s punishment should be only two games.
At some point (possibly today), I’ll pick through the 74 pages in search of specific information, allegations, and/or tidbits of interest. Until then, here’s the key information: The NFLPA contends that the suspension reflects a retroactive application of a new policy, that the arbitrator was not impartial, and that the suspension imposes discipline not permitted by the labor deal (e.g., a requirement that Peterson be evaluated by mental health professionals).
Ultimately, the league is getting what it decided that it wanted back in September — Peterson won’t play in 2014. But that won’t keep the league from fighting this one as hard as it ever does, which means that the league’s lawyers will have even more money to buy their sons the G.I. Joe with the kung fu grip for Christmas.