NFLPA: NFL exec promised time served for AP

After the NFL announced Adrian Peterson's suspension for a full year, the NFLPA swiftly announced its intentions to appeal the suspension.

In that announcement, the union also sneaked in a surprising point, noting, "An NFL executive told Adrian that his time on the commissioner's list would be considered as time served."

In response to that claim, the NFL said the Vikings running back's paid leave was "taken into account" when determining this punishment.

"There were aggravating circumstances in this case," the league said in a statement. "The time [Peterson] missed on paid leave was taken into account in the discipline."

There's a problem here, right?

Peterson signed off on joining the exempt list with the understanding he'd return to football once his case was adjudicated. The union claims he was explicitly told he'd be back and the NFL doesn't appear to deny that claim.

Instead, Peterson was immediately tagged with an additional six-game suspension once he wrapped up his court case and he faces an uphill climb for reinstatement in the NFL.

The problem isn't the length of the suspension, really. The problem is the arbitrary process by which the suspension appears to be handed down.

The NFLPA claims an NFL exec said Adrian Peterson would get credit for time served. (USATSI)

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UPDATE: Saints WR Brandin Cooks breaks thumb; expected to miss four to six weeks



Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Brandin Cooks is expected to miss four to six weeks after emerging from the team's 27-10 loss to Cincinnati Week 11. Cooks did not miss time in the game, finishing with five catches for 50 yards on seven targets. Original reports were that it would only be two to four weeks. Cooks has been having a solid rookie campaign, on pace for 85 catches and 880 yards before the injury.



This is a bad break for the Saints, literally. Cooks has proven to be the team's most explosive playmaker at the wide receiver position. Without Cooks, they won't truly have a No. 1 receiver. The de facto No. 1 will be Marques Colston, but his role is unlikely to change much. If any wide receiver for the Saints gets a bump in fantasy value, it's probably Kenny Stills, who did catch all four of his targets for 32 yards and a touchdown this week. But, even he is hard to trust. The Saints offense simply isn't producing like we've grown used to. QB Drew Brees is on pace for just 30 touchdowns, which would be his lowest since 2007, and now one of his best weapons will be missing for a few weeks. Jimmy Graham is about the only pass-catcher on this team you should trust.UPDATE: WIth the original prognosis, there was hope that Cooks could be back for the fantasy playoffs. Now, it's looking like he's shooting to just be back in time for the NFL playoffs. The Saints, while just 4-6, are in a tie for first place in the NFC South and very much in the playoff picture.