Adrian Peterson strikes plea agreement for hitting son, avoids jail

The Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault charges in Texas on Tuesday in a deal that allowed the All-Pro running back to avoid jail time in exchange for probation, a fine and community service.

Montgomery County Assistant Dist. Atty. Phil Grant told The Times that Peterson was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service and pay a $4,000 fine after pleading no contest to misdemeanor assault for striking his son.

“I truly regret this incident. I take full responsibility for my actions,” Peterson told reporters after accepting the plea deal. “I’m just glad this is over and I can put this behind me.”

Peterson was indicted in September on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child. Prosecutors in Texas alleged that the NFL star used a “switch” or stick to discipline his 4-year-old son, leaving the child with cuts on his thighs and hand and bruises on his lower back and buttocks.

Peterson said he never intended to hurt his son.

Profootballtalk.com and ESPN reported earlier Tuesday that a plea deal was in the works.

Peterson was originally charged with causing injury to a child, a felony punishable by up to two years in prison. Grant said Peterson can serve half of his community service hours through public service announcements, and must also submit to parenting evaluations.

Peterson has missed eight games while on the commissioner’s exempt list, basically meaning he was serving an indefinite suspension with pay while his legal issues played out. He is still receiving his $11.7 million salary.

It’s unclear when Peterson might return to play for the Vikings, if at all.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league “cannot provide a timetable” for Peterson’s return.

“We will review the matter, including the court record, and then make a determination on his status,” McCarthy said in an email.

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway was asked this week if Peterson “would need to do anything special if he were to return to the field.”

“I don’t think he needs to do anything,” Greenway said. “What he needs to do is just get his stuff figured out and taken care of. That’s really it .… As far as what’s happened, it’s his business. He’s got to handle it. And we’re here to do our jobs, so that’s what we’re focused on.”