MINNEAPOLIS -- News surfaced over the weekend that Adrian Peterson wouldn't attend the Minnesota Vikings' first set of organized team activities this week. On Tuesday morning, Peterson's absence became official: according to a league source, the running back wasn't present for the first day of organized team activities, as his feud with the Vikings continues to linger.

This shouldn't come as a surprise, based on both the state of Peterson's relationship with his employer and how he's approached OTAs in the past. The language of Peterson's contract says he must participate in all OTAs and the Vikings' mandatory minicamp if he wants to earn his $250,000 workout bonus, according to a league source, but Peterson has earned his workout bonus two of the past three years despite missing some time. Teams will often provide some leeway for players, however, even allowing them to make up a day they might miss. This year's situation is obviously different, since Peterson is staying away from OTAs because of his displeasure with the team, but his absence from OTAs isn't without precedent.

Neither is Peterson's absence from the Vikings' mandatory minicamp, although that would send an even stronger message. The running back skipped the minicamp in 2010, to attend the annual Adrian Peterson Day celebration in his hometown of Palestine, Texas. The Vikings could fine him up to $72,940 for missing it this year, but he also missed it five months after the Vikings' overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game, so it shouldn't be seen as a final salvo if he skips it again.

Things probably get serious, however, if Peterson isn't in Mankato, Minnesota, for the start of training camp in July. The Vikings can fine him up to $30,000 per day if he's not there, and as the fines mount while the calendar ticks down toward the start of the season, both sides will have to evaluate the cost of maintaining their positions. The Vikings would have a full-blown distraction on their hands; Peterson would be at risk of incurring hefty fines, on top of his lost workout bonus and whatever fines the Vikings levied for missing minicamp. The team isn't required to fine Peterson, of course, and it could rescind the penalty as an incentive to get him back in Minnesota. But the closer the Vikings get to beginning their second season under coach Mike Zimmer, and the closer Peterson gets to returning to the field for the first time since last fall, the greater the need for a resolution becomes.

We're not there yet, however, which means there are more checkpoints to clear as this game of chicken barrels toward the summer. At the moment, both sides seem resolute in their approach, and it will be a while before there is a significant cost to staying that way.