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(SportsNetwork.com) – Adrian Peterson, the 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player, was indicted in his native Texas for reckless or negligent injury to a child, his attorney confirmed Friday following several media reports.
Peterson was taken into custody Saturday morning in Montgomery County, Texas at 1:06 a.m CT, according to NFL.com. He was subsequently released on $15,000 bond.
The Minnesota Vikings announced that the star running back will not be active for the team’s home opener against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Houston television station KRIV first reported that Peterson had been summoned by a grand jury in Montgomery County on the charges, which involved the disciplining of one of his sons.
Rusty Hardin, Peterson’s legal representative, later released a statement acknowledging that the six-time Pro Bowl honoree was the subject of an investigation and has been fully cooperating with authorities.
“Adrian Peterson has been informed that he was indicted by a grand jury in Montgomery County, Texas for injury to a child,” the statement began. “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,” Hardin continued. “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. Adrian will address the charges with the same respect and responsiveness he has brought to this inquiry from its beginning. It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury.”
Peterson rushed for 75 yards on 21 carries in Minnesota’s season opener last week, a 34-6 win at St. Louis. He ran for 1,266 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.