Despite a track record for volatility, the Minnesota Vikings did not include in the eight-year, $75 million contract awarded to Randy Moss last summer explicit language to protect the club's $18 million signing bonus investment, ESPN.com has confirmed.

But while it would almost certainly be open to interpretation, and eventually to arbitration as well, the Vikings probably could attempt to recoup a portion of the bonus if Moss is charged or convicted in his latest indiscretion.

According to the NFL Players Association, the signing bonus language in Moss' landmark contract is fairly boilerplate stuff, consistent with that used by Minnesota for other players. There is a unique stipulation, however, that actually favors Moss, the fifth-year veteran known for his acrobatic catches and sideline outbursts.

If Moss has had two prior "defaults" -- an unexcused absence from practice or a game, suspension, tardiness for training camp -- he has a 24-hour period in which to explain the default circumstances. It is believed that Moss has not defaulted in any way on the current contract. But since he wasn't released from jail until Wednesday afternoon, and missed the Minnesota practice, the absence is probably viewed as a default event.

The Vikings could have considered suspending Moss for "conduct detrimental to the team," a fairly nebulous and open-ended option. Teams typically use that option to suspend a player for four weeks.

League and team sources said Minnesota officials are still considering all of their options. A team source said it was "pretty unlikely" that the Vikings would attempt to recapture any significant share of the bonus.

It is not known how many player contracts include specific stipulations that protect a team's financial exposure if a player is arrested or convicted. The New England Patriots wrote very specific language, which enabled the club to seek repayment of the signing bonus, into the last contract signed by wide receiver Terry Glenn with the team.

Moss is subject to league review under terms of the NFL personal conduct policy, vice president Greg Aiello confirmed. Any player who is charged or arrested must undergo a mandatory evaluation or, if warranted, counseling. If a player is convicted or pleads guilty to a crime, he is subject to discipline at the discretion of the commissioner.

Reads the policy in part: "Engaging in violent and/or criminal activity is unacceptable and constitutes conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League. Such conduct alienates the fans on whom the success of the league depends and has negative and sometimes tragic consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator."

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.