Tom Pelissero

USA TODAY Sports

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman wouldn't comment Tuesday on the possible return of exiled star Adrian Peterson. But Peterson's teammates say they'd have no problem with him returning after the resolution of his court case in Texas.

"I think everybody's hopeful that he'll have an opportunity to come back," fullback Jerome Felton told USA TODAY Sports. "He'll definitely have 100% support in the locker room."

Peterson, 29, entered a no-contest plea to a reduced charge of misdemeanor reckless assault Tuesday afternoon in Texas, avoiding jail time and bringing an end to a saga that began Sept. 12, when he was indicted for injuring his 4-year-old son while whipping him with a tree branch in May.

The Vikings deactivated the 2012 NFL MVP for one game, briefly reinstated him and then worked with the NFL to place Peterson on the exempt list — in essence, paid leave — amid widespread backlash in the wake of the Ray Rice domestic assault case.

But the team never severed ties with its embattled halfback. Coach Mike Zimmer read a motivational text from Peterson to players before a Sept. 28 game against Atlanta. Players, including Felton, kept in touch with Peterson and publicly expressed support on numerous occasions.

"We've stood behind him this whole time," tight end Kyle Rudolph said. "You'd be crazy not to welcome him back into that locker room."

Spielman declined to answer several questions about Peterson in a session with local reporters Tuesday morning, saying he'll "keep all our comments under the Adrian situation until it's appropriate to speak, and I'll leave it at that."

The NFL would have to act first anyway, based on the terms of Peterson's agreement to go on the exempt list until the court proceeding was resolved. Peterson still could face potential discipline under the league's personal conduct policy.

"We would review the matter, including the court record, and the commissioner would make a determination," league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email. "We cannot provide a timetable."

The Vikings are on a bye this week, giving the league and team the better part of two weeks to make decisions before the next game Nov. 16 at Chicago.

"He's a guy that everyone loves around here in that locker room," rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said of Peterson. "If he does come back, I'm pretty sure everyone will still take him in with welcoming arms."

Some sponsors and fans won't feel the same way, as the outcry at the team's initial decision to reinstate Peterson in September shows. There's little question, however, about the potential impact of Peterson on the field.

"He's a top-five player in the world. That's a huge deal," Felton said. "We'd definitely get a big boost, and that'd be exciting. I'm hoping that decision plays out."