Patrick Peterson returned to Arizona Cardinals' OTAs on Monday for the first time since his six-game suspension was announced.
"I am very deeply sad and sorry my name is associated with (a failed test) and that I'm letting my brothers down," Peterson said, via the team's official website. "It's behind us now. I'm looking forward to coming back against the (New York) Giants (in Week 7)."
The team is balancing the need to get its eight-time Pro Bowler prepared for the season and a new defense under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and getting other corners ready for the season opener.
"Yeah, we'll work through that," coach Kliff Kingsbury said, per the Arizona Republic. "He's not going to be playing for five months or six months, or whatever it is, so we'll have a plan through training camp to make sure we're getting him enough reps to stay sharp, but also get other guys ready to go."
Kingsbury noted that Peterson brought "good juice" to the Cardinals workouts, and teammates were glad to have their leader back on the field, even if it's just for the summer.
"It's great," Chandler Jones said. "Pat is our leader. He's the leader of our team, and it was tremendous for him to come out there and do what he does best."
Jones added that Peterson's fire helps out the entire team, as evidenced by his interception of rookie Kyler Murray during Monday's session.
"Not just the defense, but for our team," Jones said. "We needed that fire, so it's good to have him here."
Peterson can work out with his teammates through OTAs, next week's minicamp and training camp until he's sidelined for six games. The 28-year-old is eligible to return to practice on Oct. 14.
