NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has admitted that he was pleased with how Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson reacted to being suspended

Peterson missed the majority of last season after being suspended from action by the league for child abuse on a count of reckless assault against his own son.

The 30-year-old returned to the field this season, and Goodell accepted that he had been impressed with the steps that the player had made during his ban.

"He is an extraordinary player and a wonderful young man," Goodell told reporters. "I was very impressed with all my meetings with Adrian.

"He is an individual who took [the ban] seriously and said, `I want to be better.' I think that he is taking great advantage of that opportunity."

Peterson, who was reinstated by Goodell in April, led the league in rushing with 961 yards before Sunday's defeat to the Green Bay Packers.