NFL will hear Adrian Peterson's appeal

Adrian Peterson's hearing for the appeal of his suspension will be held on Dec. 2. And it will not be in front of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The NFL announced Friday that longtime hearing officer Harold Henderson will preside over the proceedings involving the Minnesota Vikings star running back. Goodell has the authority to decide whether to hear the appeal himself or appoint someone else.

Peterson has not played since the opening week of the season while dealing with child abuse allegations in Texas. He was placed on paid leave while the legal process played out, and he pleaded no contest on Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault for injuring his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch.

Goodell suspended Peterson earlier this week for the rest of the season and told Peterson that he will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15 for his violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy. Peterson is appealing the punishment, which the NFL Players Association called "unprecedented, arbitrary, and unlawful."

The union had been seeking a neutral arbitrator to oversee the appeal, saying the league "is making up the process and punishment as it goes."

Henderson worked for the league as chairman of its powerful Management Council's executive committee for 16 years. He also was a league vice president of labor relations.

Fitzgerald's status a game-time decision

Arizona coach Bruce Arians said it will be a game-time decision as to whether Larry Fitzgerald will play against the Seahawks in Seattle on Sunday.

The eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver did not practice all week and was listed Friday as questionable for the NFC West contest that pits the 9-1 Cardinals against the 6-4 Seahawks.

Arians said it's possible the 31-year-old wide receiver could play despite missing the entire week of practice.

"Practice at his age can be overrated sometimes," Arians said after the team's Friday workout.

Fitzgerald has played in 110 consecutive games, all but one of them as a starter. He's missed only four games in his 10-plus NFL seasons.

"That's unbelievable," Arians said. "Knowing the warrior that he is he's probably played a lot of times when he shouldn't have just because he's going to do it for his teammates. And that mentality will be the same this Sunday I'm sure."

Packers' Matthews probable against Vikings

The Green Bay Packers expect star linebacker Clay Matthews to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Matthews is probable for the game, Green Bay's first on the road in nearly a month.

The Packers had their customary day off from practice Friday, but they estimated Matthews would have been a limited participant.

Matthews, whose switch to inside linebacker the last two games has been a boon for a previously struggling defense, has been dealing with a recurring groin injury. Matthews said Thursday he was a little sore after Green Bay's 53-20 rout of Philadelphia last Sunday.

After starting the last two games at outside linebacker in conjunction with the position change for Matthews, Nick Perry is questionable for the Vikings game. Perry has a shoulder injury and hasn't practiced this week.

The Packers added defensive end Datone Jones to the injury report as questionable. Coach Mike McCarthy says Jones turned a previously injured ankle in practice Thursday.

Green Bay guards T.J. Lang (ankle) and Josh Sitton (toe) are probable.

Chiefs sign veteran Avant, put Jenkins on IR

The Chiefs have signed veteran Jason Avant to help a beleaguered and injury-prone group of wide receivers.

The move reunites Avant with Andy Reid, his longtime coach in Philadelphia. Kansas City cleared roster space by placing wide receiver A.J. Jenkins on injured reserve on Friday.

Avant was drafted by Reid's Eagles and spent his first eight seasons there before signing with Carolina in the offseason. He was the Panthers' third receiver and caught 21 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown before getting released this week.

Avant had criticized the Panthers for their offensive approach in last week's loss to the Falcons, but coach Ron Rivera insisted that was not the reason for his release. Rivera said the Panthers were simply trying to get younger at wide receiver.