The NFL announced Thursday it will review Adrian Peterson 's status now that he has reached a plea deal after being charged with whipping his son , according to a league spokesman . Peterson -- who in 2011 signed a seven-year contract worth more than $ 100 million and is considered one of the NFL 's best running backs , if not the best -- took a leave of absence from the Minnesota Vikings in September after the team deactivated , then activated and then deactivated him again . He was placed on the reserve/commissioner exempt list by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell , which allows the Vikings to pay Peterson while he sorts out his legal issues . At no point has Peterson been suspended . `` His matter will now be reviewed for potential discipline under the NFL 's personal conduct policy , '' said Brian McCarthy , the NFL 's vice president of corporate communications . Peterson will remain on the exempt list `` pending completion of the process , '' according to McCarthy . He has the opportunity to have a hearing prior to being disciplined by the league . `` We believe it is Adrian 's right to be treated in a manner that is consistent with similar cases under our collective bargaining agreement , '' Jilane Rodgers , the communications manager for the NFL Players Association , said . The plea deal . Peterson was accused in Texas of whipping his 4-year-old son with a `` switch , '' or slender tree branch , and had originally been charged with felony child abuse . He faced up to two years in prison and a fine . On Tuesday , Peterson pleaded no contest in a Texas court to one count of misdemeanor reckless assault . The Vikings star was sentenced to two years of probation , a $ 4,000 fine and 80 hours of community service , half of which will be taken care of by a public service announcement . He also will take parenting classes . `` I truly regret this incident , '' Peterson said after accepting the deal . `` I stand here and I take full responsibility for my actions . I love my son more than any one of you can even imagine . '' His attorney , Rusty Hardin , called the plea deal `` fair and just . '' Opinion : Spanking is n't child abuse ; it 's common sense . Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said Peterson was n't treated any differently because he is one of the NFL 's marquee players . Opinion : Does spanking harm the black community ?
NFL will review Adrian Peterson 's case for `` potential discipline , '' spokesman says . Comment: He is still on the Vikings roster , but has been deactivated .