Vikings' Adrian Peterson will play football after all despite child abuse indictment

Citing "due process," the Minnesota Vikings on Monday announced running back Adrian Peterson would practice with the team and play football Sunday despite his recent indictment for child abuse.

"To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child," the team said in a statement. "At this time, however, we believe this is a matter of due process and we should allow the legal system to proceed so we can come to the most effective conclusions and then determine the appropriate course of action."

Peterson was inactive for the team's last game after turning himself in on Saturday to Montgomery County, Texas, authorities. A grand jury indicted the star running back for reckless or negligent injury to a child after he beat his four-year-old son with a switch, leaving injuries on the child's back, legs, and scrotum.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up