The Minnesota Vikings reinstated star running back Adrian Peterson on Monday, three days after benching him because he was facing a child-abuse charge in Texas for using a wooden switch to spank his 4-year-old son.

Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf said the decision to bring back Peterson for practices and Sunday's game at New Orleans was made "after significant thought, discussion and consideration." Peterson was deactivated for Sunday's 30-7 loss to the New England Patriots after he was charged with striking his 4-year-old son with a tree branch this summer.

Peterson's attorney issued a statement on Friday saying his client acknowledged striking his son as a form of discipline similar to what Peterson endured as a young boy growing up in Palestine, Texas. He said Peterson was cooperating with the investigation and did not mean to inflict any harm on his son.

The NFL is looking into Peterson's case, and if convicted he could face a minimum six-game suspension under the league's new tougher domestic abuse policy that was implemented after Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted he botched Rice's initial punishment.

The Vikings' decision to reinstate Peterson comes on the same day the NFL announced that three experts in domestic violence will serve as senior advisers to the league. Goodell sent a memo to teams Monday announcing that Lisa Friel, Jane Randel and Rita Smith will "help lead and shape the NFL's policies and programs relating to domestic violence and sexual assault.".

The day after the NFL finally began to show a united front against domestic violence and child abuse, it looks like it has taken a step back. I find myself agreeing with current ESPN NFL analyst and former Philadelphia Eagle and Minnesota Viking wide receiver Cris Carter..."take 'em off the dangon field!"

Following Peterson's re-instatement on Tuesday, further allegations have surfaced indicating further legal problems for the running back. Another woman has come public with charges that Peterson has abused her 4-year son, whom Peterson is also the father, in a similar manner as to the original allegations. This woman has also stated Peterson has previously admitted that he was disciplined in a similar manner throughout his childhood.

In agreement with a recommendation by the league office, the Minnesota Vikings have suspended Adrian Peterson indefinitely, placing the All-Pro back on the league exempt/commissioners permission list, barring him from all team activities until he clears his legal situation.

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