NFL executive vice president Jeff Pash defended the suspension of Adrian Peterson and said the league isn’t trying to end the Minnesota Vikings running back’s career.

Pash made his comments on ESPN Radio’s “Mike and Mike” on Wednesday, responding to criticism on the radio show from Peterson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin.

“The critical component of what the commissioner (Roger Goodell) did yesterday was put in place a program that will help Mr. Peterson succeed. It will help him extend his career,” Pash said. “We’re not trying to end his career, we want to extend his career. We want to have a great player on the field with the confidence that he won’t face these kind of issues again.”

On Tuesday, the NFL suspended Peterson without pay for at least the remainder of the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy related to his child-abuse case in Texas. Peterson pleaded no contest to charges for the discipline of his 4-year-old son, who suffered cuts, marks and bruising to his thighs, back and on one of his testicles, according to court records. He will not be considered for NFL reinstatement before April 15, 2015.

—The Buffalo Bills are still preparing to play Sunday’s game against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium as scheduled despite over 4 feet of snow already dumped on the area this week and more than a foot more snow expected.

Any change to that plan would be for the NFL to decide, according to Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold. The team did not provide a timetable on when the NFL would decide whether it will be necessary to postpone the game or move it to another location.

The Bills estimate that they will need to clear 220,000 tons of snow in order to clear the stadium for the game. They are offering $10 per hour and game tickets for anyone willing to shovel at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The team is seeking at least 500 fans — working on three shifts.

— Ben Tate wasn’t out of a job for long. The Minnesota Vikings claimed the running back off waivers on Wednesday, one day after he was let go by the Cleveland Browns.

The move also came one day after the NFL suspended Vikings running back Adrian Peterson for the remainder of the season.

Tate was waived by the Browns after getting just two carries for minus-9 yards in a 19-17 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. Earlier in the week, he complained about lack of carries in Cleveland’s three-back system. Tate leaves Cleveland having played in eight games and rushing for 333 yards and four touchdowns on 106 carries.

—After putting running back Ahmad Bradshaw on injured reserve with a broken left fibula, the Indianapolis Colts tried to add some punch by adding veteran return specialist Josh Cribbs.

With Bradshaw out for the season, the Colts will stand pat with running backs Trent Richardson and Daniel “Boom” Herron for now.

Along with signing Cribbs, the Colts also signed free agent tight end Wesley Saunders to the active roster.

—Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III wouldn’t bite on criticism earlier this week from coach Jay Gruden by repeating “We’re focused on San Francisco” during his press conference Wednesday.

Griffin said he was “focused on San Francisco” nine times and used the word “focused” 18 times overall, whether referring to himself or his team. On Monday, Gruden was publicly critical of Griffin after Sunday’s 27-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropped the team to 3-7. Griffin was sacked six times and threw two interceptions, raising his sack total on the season to 15 in 115 dropbacks.

—Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was $100,000 for not talking to the media after Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lynch quickly dressed and left the team’s locker room after the 24-20 loss. He walked away when reporters asked to speak to him. He later did a phone interview with the NFL Network.

Lynch was warned by league officials last week that he was subject to the fine if he didn’t talk to the media after Sunday’s game. This is Lynch’s third violation of the policy.

—New England Patriots running back Jonas Gray has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 37-carry, 201-yard, four-touchdown effort against the Indianapolis Colts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Mike Evans took the NFC offensive honor after catching seven passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-7 victory over the Washington Redskins.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt won the AFC defensive award. He collected five tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in a 23-7 win over the Cleveland Browns. San Francisco 49ers rookie linebacker Chris Borland took the NFC defensive honor. He had 13 tackles and two interceptions in a 16-10 win over the New York Giants.

—The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed defensive end George Uko to the practice squad Wednesday.

The 6-foot-3, 284-pound Uko spent three weeks on the Bucs’ practice squad earlier this season before being released on Nov. 5.

The Bucs also released punter Jacob Schum from the practice squad.