Adrian Peterson barred from Minnesota Vikings; Out vs. New Orleans Saints

The Minnesota Vikings originally activated All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson for Sunday's contest vs. the New Orleans Saints. However, after a massive public outcry to go with new allegations of child abuse with another son (though no formal chargers made), the VIkings have done an about-face.

The team has placed Peterson on the NFL's exempt/commissioner's permission list until his child-abuse case is resolved, which bars him from all team activities, the team said in a news release early Wednesday morning.

Here is a brief excerpt of the statement released by Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf:

This has been an ongoing and deliberate process since last Friday's news. In conversations with the NFL over the last two days, the Vikings advised the League of the team's decision to revisit the situation regarding Adrian Peterson. In response, 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.

We will support Adrian during this legal and personal process, but we firmly believe and realize this is the right decision. We hope that all of our fans can respect the process that we have gone through to reach this final decision.

Peterson was indicted last week in Montgomery County, Texas, on a count of reckless or negligent injury to a child, after he reportedly used a switch, or a tree branch, to spank his son.

Peterson was deactivated this past Sunday when the Vikings played the New England Patriots. Peterson is widely considered the best running back in the league after rushing for more than 2,000 yards in the 2012 season. He finished with 1,266 yards in 2013 after missing two games with a groin injury.

Depending on how long the legal process plays out, we may have seen the last of Peterson in 2014.