Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesThe Minnesota Vikings have taken Adrian Peterson out of the game—for now.
Around 2:00 a.m. ET Wednesday, the team placed him on the exempt/commissioner's permission list, meaning he is suspended indefinitely from all team activities amid the football player's child abuse case.
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. After the running back sat out Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, the Minnesota Vikings had reinstated him.
The Radisson hotel chain suspended its partnership with the club due to Peterson's reinstatement.
In a statement, Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf said benching Peterson will allow the athlete, 29, 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 are always focused on trying to make the right decision as an organization. We embrace our role— and the responsibilities that go with it—as a leader in the community, as a business partner and as an organization that can build bridges with our fans and positively impact this great region," the Wilfs said. "We appreciate and value the input we have received from our fans, our partners and the community."
"While we were trying to make a balanced decision yesterday, after further reflection we have concluded that this resolution is best for the Vikings and for Adrian. We want to be clear: we have a strong stance regarding the protection and welfare of children, and we want to be sure we get this right. At the same time we want to express our support for Adrian and acknowledge his seven-plus years of outstanding commitment to this organization and this community. Adrian emphasized his desire to avoid further distraction to his teammates and coaches while focusing on his current situation; this resolution accomplishes these objectives as well," the Wilfs continued. "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's agent, Ben Dogra, said his client is on board with the team's decision.
"This is the best possible outcome given the circumstances," Dogra said. "Adrian understands the gravity of the situation and this enables him to take care of his personal situation. We fully support Adrian and he looks forward to watching his teammates and coaches being successful during his absence."
After the team's decision was announced, Peterson posted an inspirational message on Twitter.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) September 17, 2014