Adrian Peterson, the star running back for the Minnesota Vikings, is expected to play in the NFL squad’s week 3 game after sitting out week 2 due to his indictment for child abuse.

Adrian Peterson Returning To Field With Vikings

The Vikings announced Monday that Peterson’s deactivation had been reversed and that he would resume training with the team this week. Furthermore, the team plans on playing Peterson when the Vikings face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.

Vikings owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf released the following statement:

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.

Peterson Releases Statement

Hours after the Vikings’ owners released their statement, Peterson released one of his own in which he maintains that he is not a child abuser and that he never had any intention to cause significant injury to his son. He further states that he only meant to discipline his son, but he also acknowledges that other people may not agree with his method of disciplining a four-year-old.

Peterson’s statement reads:

I have to live with the fact that when I disciplined my son the way I was disciplined as a child, I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen. I know that many people disagree with the way I disciplined my child. I also understand after meeting with a psychologist that there are other alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate.

I have learned a lot and have had to reevaluate how I discipline my son going forward. But deep in my heart I have always believed I could have been one of those kids that was lost in the streets without the discipline instilled in me by my parents and other relatives. I have always believed that the way my parents disciplined me has a great deal to do with the success I have enjoyed as a man. I love my son and I will continue to become a better parent and learn from any mistakes I ever make.

I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser. I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury. No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him. My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that’s what I tried to do that day.

Peterson was indicted on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child last week, turned himself in on Saturday and was subsequently released on bail. He has admitted to striking his four-year-old son with a switch (a thin tree branch with the leaves removed) in an attempt to discipline him for wrongdoing. Upon learning of the indictment, the Minnesota Vikings opted to deactivate Peterson for the team’s game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, which they lost 30-7.

If convicted on the child injury charges, Peterson, who will make an appearance in court on Wednesday, could face two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.