The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... HC Mike Zimmer is scheduled to fly to Houston for a Wednesday meeting with Peterson to discuss the embattled superstar's future with the team, according to two people with knowledge of the plan. GM Rick Spielman also is expected to make the trip.

Diehards Line: Barring a last-minute change of plans, it'll be the first face-to-face meeting in months -- direct communication that was barred until last week, when a federal judge ruled in Peterson's favor and the NFL moved the 2012 MVP from the suspended list to the commissioner's exempt list. Peterson, 29, has expressed reservations for months about him and his family returning to Minnesota after last year's controversy. He hasn't asked for a trade or issued any ultimatums, but it's unclear to what degree, if at all, Peterson is open to coming back. Zimmer, who's now entering his second year as coach, was more vocal than any other team official in supporting Peterson during his time on the exempt list and suspension last season. So, Zimmer might be the Vikings' best shot at bridging the gap. ... Stay tuned.