MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti) - The Minnesota Vikings has issued an official statement on Wednesday confirming that running back Adrian Peterson should remain away from all team activities until his child abuse case is resolved.
"The League informed the team of the option to place Adrian on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list, which will require that Adrian remain away from all team activities while allowing him to take care of his personal situation until the legal proceedings are resolved. After giving the situation additional thought, we have decided this is the appropriate course of action for the organization and for Adrian," a statement on the team's website reads.
On September 11, Peterson was indicted by a Montgomery County, Texas, grand jury on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child that occurred in May 2014. Peterson is accused of beating his four-year-old son with a wooden stick. On October 8, he is expected to have an initial hearing on the case.
Peterson claims that he did not intent to hurt the boy and was just disciplining him.
The athlete missed the game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, but was expected to return for this week's game against the New Orleans Saints, however he faced strong criticism from his fans and sponsors who said that the accusations are serious and the case must be settled before he is brought back on the field.
29-year-old Adrian Peterson has played for the Minnesota Vikings since 2007. In 2010, he suffered a serious leg injury, and despite predictions for long rehabilitation, won the National Football League (NFL) Most Valuable Player award in 2012, which highlighted him as one of the most elite performers in the league.
