The Minnesota Vikings have announced that Adrian Peterson has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities amid his child abuse case. The announcement comes as sponsors are increasingly questioning league decisions to keep controversial players on the field.

The running back was indicted last week in Montgomery County, Texas, on a count of reckless or negligent injury to a child, after he reportedly used a tree branch to discipline his son.

The 29-year-old sat out of the Vikings’ defeat against New England Patriots at the weekend but had been reinstated by the franchise, a decision which led to widespread criticism.

However after discussions with the league, the Vikings have placed Peterson on the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission list to allow Peterson to “take care of his personal situation until the legal proceedings are resolved”.

The owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf said in a statement published on the team’s website: “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 organisation and this community.

“Adrian emphasised his desire to avoid further distraction to his team-mates and coaches while focusing on his current situation; this resolution accomplishes these objectives as well.

“We will support Adrian during this legal and personal process, but we firmly believe and realise 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.”

Nike pulled Peterson merchandise from its shelves on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. A call to the sportswear company was not immediately returned. Additionally, brewer Anheuser Busch issued a warning shot to the league on Tuesday.

“We are disappointed and increasingly concerned by the recent incidents that have overshadowed this NFL season,” the brewer said in a statement. “We are not yet satisfied with the league’s handling of behaviors that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code. We have shared our concerns and expectations with the league.”

On Monday, Peterson issued his own statement, saying he was not perfect, but also that “without a doubt I am not a child abuser … I have to live with the fact that when I disciplined my son the way I was disciplined as a child, I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen.”