NFL: Adrian Peterson returns to voluntary practice

Minnesota Vikings running-back Adrian Peterson has returned to training with the team after missing almost nine months over child abuse charges.

Peterson has been suspended for using a ‘switch’, similar to a cane, to discipline his son, who was injured in the incident.

The 30-year-old was understood to be unhappy he had not been offered greater support by the Vikings and a stand-off ensued between the two parties.

But with the NFL franchise unwilling to trade Peterson during the draft he has decided to return to Minnesota having missed the first week of voluntary training and he outlined his reasons in an e-mail to ESPN.

“I’m returning because I want to. I’m a part of this football team and I owe it to the guys I play with and to our coaches,” Peterson wrote.

“I was planning on coming in this week, and I’m looking forward to getting back on the field. It’s what I love to do.”