Minnesota Sports Roundup: Charges against Peterson dismissed

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Prosecutors in Houston, Texas have dropped charges against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. He'd been scheduled to appear in court tomorrow to have a trial date set. Authorities had accused Peterson of resisting arrest during an argument with police and security at a Houston nightclub in July. Peterson said he'd been treated unfairly with police tackling and punching him, and said at his first court appearance in July that he was "200 percent innocent."

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Minnesota Vikings officials say they're "disappointed" by a letter from Governor Dayton, after the team floated a plan to require fans to buy personal seat licenses to help pay for the 975-million-dollar stadium. Dayton wrote Vikings owner Zygi Wilf that it should be "a People's Stadium, not a Rich People's Stadium," and says he'll urge the stadium authority to block any such move. The Vikings respond the stadium bill negotiated with the governor's own representatives and legislative leaders "includes provisions that expressly authorize the sale of stadium builder's licenses." __________________________________________________________________________

In a surprise move, the Atlanta Falcons released former Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards this week. Edwards left Minnesota in the summer of 2011 to sign a five-year, 30-million-dollar contract with Atlanta. He had zero sacks and nine tackles for the Falcons this season after just three-and-a-half last year. Edwards racked up 16-and-a-half sacks in his final two seasons with the Vikings. At one time, he predicted he'd break the single season sack record with the Vikings. Eleven-million dollars of his five-year deal with Atlanta is guaranteed.

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Golden Gopher football coach Jerry Kill says injuries to his offensive line have forced him to shuffle a few bodies around. Starting center Jon Christenson and reserve Zach Mottla both left last week's victory at Illinois with injury, forcing left guard Zac Epping to take over at center. The good news is that Epping had previous center experience. Kill says Mottla is out for the rest of the year with a broken leg, while Christenson is questionable for this week and Epping will start at center. He says previously-injured brothers Ed and Tommy Olson will practice some at center this week and will serve as emergency back-ups at the position, should that be needed. Minnesota is at No. 14 Nebraska for a 2:30 p.m. game on Saturday.

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University of Minnesota men's basketball coach Tubby Smith says he is happy that his colleague Jerry Kill has his team bowl eligible after last week's win at Illinois. Smith says he knows how much hard work the football team has put into the season and it is nice to see the reward come. Smith says his office is located across the hallway from the football weight training room and he can hear the weights clanging all day, showing how much the team works at getting stronger and faster. Smith also says a successful football team can help his basketball program because he often will bring prospective basketball recruits to the football games. Smith's team is 2-and-0 this season and hosting Tennessee State tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves are 5-2 on the season and hosting Charlotte tonight at the Target Center. The Wolves have played short-handed for much of the year and will continue to do so. Forward Chase Budinger underwent knee surgery yesterday and will miss between three- and four-months, according to a team statement. Charlotte whipped Washington last night 92-76 and enters tonight's game in Minneapolis with a 3-and-3 record. Former Wolves guard Ramon Sessions came off the Bobcat bench to score 21 points to pace the winners.

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Former Twins pitcher Scott Baker has agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. The 31-year-old right-hander missed all of the 2012 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Baker was 8-and-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 2011 with the Twins. He has gone 63-and-48 with a 4.15 ERA in seven big league seasons, all with the Twins.

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There are currently no labor talks scheduled in the NHL. The lockout is in its 60th day. The Bruins would have skated in Ottawa tonight if the regular season had begun, but all games have been canceled through the end of the month as owners and players remain without a labor contract. The Wild were supposed to host St. Louis tomorrow night.

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