Tom Pelissero

USA TODAY Sports

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are casting responsibility on the legal system to determine how far a parent may go in disciplining a child while defending their decision to reinstate star running back Adrian Peterson, who was indicted last week in Texas.

In a heated media conference Monday, general manager Rick Spielman said Peterson "deserves to play" while the legal process plays out, and not because the Vikings offense was in shambles with the 2012 NFL MVP inactive for Sunday's 30-7 loss to the New England Patriots.

"It has nothing to do with him as a football player," Spielman said. "It has to do purely on the facts that have been presented to us."

Peterson, 29, faces up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty on the charge he injured his 4-year-old son by spanking him with a tree branch. His arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday but has been delayed until Oct. 8 because his attorney, Rusty Hardin, is abroad.

Peterson was back at Vikings headquarters Monday but didn't address teammates or reporters, instead releasing a statement through his agent in which he emphasized he didn't intend to harm his son by disciplining him the same way Peterson was punished growing up.

"I am not a perfect son. I am not a perfect husband. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser," Peterson said in the statement.

"I am someone that disciplined his child and did not intend to cause him any injury. No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him. My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that's what I tried to do that day."

Peterson's statement also said he has met with a psychologist, who let him know "there are other alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate," but it did not go into detail about the allegations against him and evidence thereof.

But photos surfaced Friday allegedly showing the boy's injuries, which Spielman admitted "are disturbing. I understand that. ... But we also think it is right for (Peterson) to go through the process legally."

So, after a weekend to re-evaluate and gather information, the team says Peterson will practice this week and play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints — unlike several other Vikings players who have run into serious legal issues in recent years.

Cornerback Chris Cook was inactive for the last 10 games of the 2011 season while facing two felony domestic assault charges. He was reinstated only after being acquitted by a jury. The Vikings released running back Caleb King in May 2012 days after he was arrested for assault and cornerback A.J. Jefferson within hours of his arrest for domestic assault.

Spielman stressed the Vikings "have seen everything that's in the file" on Peterson's case and took into account his contributions to the community in giving him the benefit of the doubt.

"Whether it's an abusive situation or not or whether (Peterson) went too far in disciplining, we feel very strongly that that is the court's decision to make," Spielman said.

Coach Mike Zimmer said he had input, but Peterson's reinstatement was the decision of owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, who said in their own statement Monday it's "a difficult path to navigate, and our focus is on doing the right thing."

The team also was in communication with the NFL, which has been under fire recently for its attitude and reaction towards manners of family violence.

Peterson's return wasn't addressed in a Monday team meeting, according to players, who roundly expressed support for the decision once they learned of it.

"I'm happy to have him back," said defensive end Everson Griffen, who became a father last year. "It was an unfortunate situation, and who knows the full story of the whole thing?"

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports the league will review Peterson's case under the personal conduct policy with assistance from Lisa Friel, the former head of the sex crimes prosecution unit in the New York County District Attorney's Office and one of three new special advisors named Monday by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

For now, nothing is stopping Peterson from returning to his usual spot in the starting lineup against the Saints. He is expected to speak to the media later this week but acknowledged in his statement whatever explanation he tries to provide may fall on deaf ears.

"I accept the fact that people feel very strongly about this issue and what they think about my conduct," his statement read. "Regardless of what others think, however, I love my son very much and I will continue to try to become a better father and person."

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