Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Sports

Adrian Peterson plans to play on Sunday

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Eden Prairie, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson plans on playing in Sunday's game against Carolina, despite reports that one of his children is in critical condition at a South Dakota hospital.

"I will be playing Sunday ... without a doubt," Peterson said Friday.

Peterson missed practice Thursday for personal reasons. On Friday morning, the website TMZ reported that Peterson's 2-year-old son is in critical condition after being beaten by a man who is dating the mother of the child.

Joseph Robert Patterson is charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault on an infant in Lincoln County for reportedly harming a 2-year-old boy who was in his care.

Peterson did not talk about the situation in Sioux Falls, saying it was a private matter.

"I really appreciate all the support that I've been receiving from fans, the Vikings organization," Peterson said. "This is a private matter and I would ask you all to please just respect my privacy and not ask at all about the situation at hand. Thanks."

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier offered his support by saying, "Adrian has our prayers and support."

Peterson's father talked to the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Friday.

"We are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as we deal with this tragic situation," Nelson Peterson told the newspaper.

According to the paper, Patterson called 911 shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday to report a choking. At the hospital, it became clear the injuries were not an accident and were consistent with abuse.

During a briefing Friday morning, Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens said many people have asked about the identity of the boy's father.

"At this point, we're not going to confirm anything. Who the father is does not come into play in this investigation, so we're not going to be releasing any information as far as that goes," Clemens said.

Peterson, last year's NFL MVP, has carried the ball 92 times for 421 yards and five touchdowns in four games for the Vikings this season.