The NFL has filed a response to an NFL Players Association lawsuit on behalf of suspended Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

They filed in U.S. District Court on Friday requesting that the lawsuit be thrown out.

The league is arguing that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had the right to suspend Peterson and to choose arbitrator Harold Henderson to hear the appeal, which he denied.

The NFL also referenced the Starcaps case that ruled an appeals court couldn't overturn suspensions for former Vikings defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams.

"The NFLPA now asks this Court to vacate the Award and immediately reinstate Peterson to the NFL based on arguments that were all considered and specifically rejected in the arbitration proceeding below," the league argued. "Federal labor law, which governs this action, completely forecloses the Union's request.

"The Union's arguments that Peterson's suspension is not permitted by the text of the CBA or the 'law of the shop' --- all of which were carefully considered and rejected by the Hearing Officer below -- are exactly the type of interpretative disputes that are for the arbitrator to resolve and may not be challenged in court. An arbitration award draws its essence from the parties' agreement and cannot be vacated where, as here, the Hearing Officer arguably construed or applied the agreement."

The motion is set to be heard Feb. 6.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun