The slew of bad news in the NFL continues, as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was placed on the exempt/commissioner's permission list early Wednesday morning, preventing him from playing or participating in any team activities.
Placement on the list stems from Peterson being indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child after he disciplined his 4-year-old son with a "switch" in May and left a number of bruises and lacerations on his body.
The Vikings deactivated Peterson for Week 2, but reinstated him on Monday in order for him to play Week 3 against the Saints. But in the early morning hours Wednesday, the team decided to put him on the exempt list until he sorts out his legal troubles.
Sunday, May 18: According to a police report, Peterson disciplined his son after the boy pushed another one of Peterson's sons off of a motorbike video game. The Vikings running back used a switch (a thin branch or rod used for whipping) to discipline his child, resulting in bruises and lacerations on the boy's back, legs, arms and buttocks.
After the boy returns home to his mother in Minnesota, the bruises are discovered during a routine doctor's visit. The doctor says the injuries are consistent with child abuse.
Thursday, Aug. 21: Peterson testifies in front of a grand jury in Montgomery County, Texas.
Thursday, Sept. 4: The grand jury decides not to indict Peterson.
Thursday, Sept. 11: Peterson misses Vikings practice for what coach Mike Zimmer calls a "veteran day" off.
Friday, Sept. 12, 4:36 p.m. EST: Peterson is indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child in Montgomery County.
Friday, Sept. 12, 5:04 p.m.: Vikings deactivate Peterson for their Week 2 game against the New England Patriots.
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2:15 a.m.: Peterson turns himself in to Montgomery, County authorities and is released on $15,000 bond.
Sunday, Sept. 14, 12:06 p.m.: Vikings fan shows up to tailgate dressed like Adrian Peterson carrying a "switch."
Monday, Sept. 15, 1:54 p.m.: Peterson releases statement on child abuse charges.
Monday, Sept. 15, 2:46 p.m.: Vikings reinstate Peterson, state their belief that he was just "disciplining a child." He is expected to play Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints.
Monday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.: A previous allegation of child abuse by Peterson is reported. He was not charged in the incident after it was determined the 4-year-old was not hit in the forehead by the running back, but instead his his forehead on a car seat while being disciplined.
Monday, Sept. 15, 8:12 p.m.: Radisson issues statement that it is suspending its limited sponsorship of the Vikings.
Tuesday, Sept. 16: Minnesota governor says Peterson is innocent until proven guilty, but his actions are "a public embarrassment" and suggests that the running back be suspended.
Tuesday, Sept. 16: Anheuser-Busch is among a growing number of corporate sponsors that express concern or take action in light of Peterson's legal trouble.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2:00 a.m.: Vikings place Peterson on exempt/commissioner's permission list.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, noon: Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, along with GM Rick Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer, address the media.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 12:15 p.m.: Nike and Castrol suspend their sponsorships with Adrian Peterson.
Friday, Sept. 19, 4:15 p.m.: Authorities in Minnesota are seeking a protective order that would bar Peterson from having any unsupervised or unauthorized contact with his four-year-old son.
Sunday, Sept. 21: Pro Football Talk publishes report that Adrian Peterson is expected to push for an accelerated trial date in the hopes of playing during the 2014 season.