Tracking Adrian Peterson's Status After Indictment for Negligent Injury to Child

Updates from Monday, Sept. 22

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reports the latest speculation on Adrian Peterson's future from sources close to the Vikings' star:

Updates from Sunday, Sept. 21

CBS Sports' Will Brinson provides a statement from ESPN's Chris Mortensen discussing Adrian Peterson's future:

'Several league sources say Adrian Peterson has not come to grips with the fact that his 2014 has all but officially ended," Mortensen said Sunday morning. "His goal to break Emmitt Smith's all-time rushing record is now a fading dream. And his future is in doubt after being indicted for these child abuse charges related to inflicting injuries on his four-year old son.'

A source told Mortensen that Peterson 'really doesn't get it' and 'he is in denial' when it comes to his future with the Vikings and the 2014 season.

Additionally, it's possible Peterson's time in Minnesota will end sooner than expected. Mortensen reported the Vikings 'themselves do not foresee Peterson in their future.'

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 17

After being placed on the exempt list, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Adrian Peterson is expected to remain with the Vikings:

Updates from Tuesday, Sept. 16

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reports Adrian Peterson could face discipline from the NFL pending the outcome of his review:

ESPN's Ed Werder previously reported Peterson is under review by the NFL:

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton issued a statement on Peterson and his status with the Vikings (via The Associated Press and KARE 11):

It is an awful situation. Yes, Mr. Peterson is entitled to due process and should be "innocent until proven guilty." However, he is a public figure; and his actions, as described, are a public embarrassment to the Vikings organization and the State of Minnesota. Whipping a child to the extent of visible wounds, as has been alleged, should not be tolerated in our state. Therefore, I believe the team should suspend Mr. Peterson, until the accusations of child abuse have been resolved by the criminal justice system.

However, I will not turn my back on the Vikings and their fans, as some have suggested. The Vikings belong to Minnesota – and in Minnesota. This has been the team's only home; and our citizens, including myself, have been its most dedicated fans.

Updates from Monday, Sept. 15

The Minnesota Vikings released a statement regarding Adrian Peterson's availability for Week 3:

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will fully participate in this week’s practices and meetings and is expected to play this Sunday in New Orleans.

The Vikings continued with a statement from Vikings Owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf:

Today’s decision was made after significant thought, discussion and consideration. As evidenced by our decision to deactivate Adrian from yesterday’s game, this is clearly a very important issue. On Friday, we felt it was in the best interests of the organization to step back, evaluate the situation, and not rush to judgment given the seriousness of this matter. At that time, we made the decision that we felt was best for the Vikings and all parties involved.

To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child. 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. This is a difficult path to navigate, and our focus is on doing the right thing. Currently we believe we are at a juncture where the most appropriate next step is to allow the judicial process to move forward.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and support Adrian’s fulfillment of his legal responsibilities throughout this process.

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post previously reported the Vikings were exploring options regarding Peterson's future within the organization:

All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson could be on the trading block if even uglier details emerge from his felony child abuse case in Houston, The Post has learned.

An NFL source familiar with the thinking of the Vikings’ ownership group said Sunday the only certainty is Peterson won’t be released because of his shocking indictment Friday afternoon.

But everything else — including the long-shot possibility of a trade — is still on the table after the Minnesota star was arrested and jailed over the weekend for allegedly injuring his 4-year-old son last May by brutally beating him with a thin tree limb while the child was naked.

Updates from Sunday, Sept. 14

ESPN.com's staff, via ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, provided a statement from Minnesota Vikings executive vice president and general manager Rick Spielman discussing Adrian Peterson's status within the franchise:

Friday night was the first we heard of the formal allegations against Adrian Peterson, and we decided, as an organization, that to deactivate him this weekend was in the best interest of everybody concerned. We are, as an organization, still in the process of gathering information, and at the end of the weekend we will discuss what we will do going forward.

You don't want to make any knee-jerk reactions. All options are on the table. You can't take any options off the table because we're still gathering information.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously reported on Peterson's future:

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora provided additional details earlier: 

The team moved swiftly to de-activate the Peterson after an arrest warrant was issued for him, and, given the serious nature of these charges and with Peterson not denying the allegations to date, several league sources expect the Vikings to further address his roster status on Monday. Their options are somewhat limited. A team can no longer just opt to de-activate a player for an extended period of time under this CBA so here are the options:

• Keep him on the roster as is

• He can remain at the facility for practices and meetings and then be deactivated on gamedays

• Vikings could opt to suspended Peterson with pay pending the outcome of more legal matters

Peterson also posted a picture to his Twitter account on Sunday:

Original Text

Adrian Peterson has been deactivated heading into the Minnesota Vikings' Week 2 matchup with the New England Patriots. The Vikings star was indicted on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston:

ESPN's Adam Schefter announced the move by Minnesota:

According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, authorities in Montgomery County, Texas, have been working on a case for some time:

NFL insider Jay Glazer added that Peterson has so far cooperated with authorities.

Rusty Hardin, Peterson's attorney, provided a statement, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. The following is a portion of it:

The charged conduct involves using a switch to spank his son. This indictment follows Adrian’s full cooperation with authorities who have been looking into this matter. Adrian is a loving father who used his judgment as a parent to discipline his son. He used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in east Texas. Adrian has never hidden from what happened. He has cooperated fully with authorities and voluntarily testified before the grand jury for several hours.

Strictly from a football perspective, losing Peterson is a major blow to Minnesota's offense. The Vikings continue relying heavily on the six-time Pro Bowler. He ran for 75 yards on 21 carries in their 34-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

Since Toby Gerhart left for Jacksonville in the offseason, Minnesota is also without an experienced backup running back. Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon are listed as the two backups in the team's unofficial depth chart.

Asiata has carried the ball 49 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns in his three-year career, while McKinnon made his NFL debut Sunday, going for one yard on one carry.

With Peterson out, Matt Cassel, Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings and Kyle Rudolph will all have to step up to fill the void. More pressure will be heaped upon the passing game until either Asiata or McKinnon proves to be a consistent runner.