Chicago Bears defensive end Jared Allen said Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson should be allowed to continue his career after reaching a plea deal on child abuse charges. Allen, who signed with the Bears in the offseason, played with Peterson for six seasons in Minnesota and said the Peterson he knows is a good person.

Chicago Bears defensive end Jared Allen said Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson should be allowed to continue his career after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault last week, the Chicago Sun-Times' Patrick Finley reports.

Allen, who signed with the Bears in the offseason, played with Peterson for six seasons in Minnesota and said the Peterson he knows is a good person.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

“The Adrian I know was always a kind-hearted, gentle, very generous human being,” the Bears’ defensive end said Wednesday at Halas Hall. “Obviously he made a mistake. I just pray that him and his family and his son and everybody that’s going through it, I hope everybody learns it, they can heal their wounds. “He’s obviously had to deal with the punishment. Do I think his football career should be ended over it? No. Do I hope he learned a valuable lesson and do I think he did? Yeah. Obviously you go through stuff, you face the consequences. “If he happens to come back the week after we play him — awesome.”

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Peterson has not played since Week 1 while facing child abuse charges in Texas. After reaching a plea deal last week, Peterson was denied immediate reinstatement by the league from the Commissioner's Exempt list. His appeal hearing will be held on Monday and a ruling will be given out within five days.

Earlier this week, Allen said he believes the Bears still have a chance at making the playoffs. Chicago has lost three straight games and is 3-6 on the season.

The Bears play at the Vikings (4-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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- Paul Palladino