Story highlights Adrian Peterson was accused of abusing another child, KHOU reports 
 
 DA says he expects Peterson to be at next court date in October 
 
 The running back was indicted on a felony child abuse charge and missed Sunday's game 
 
 Vikings: Peterson should play while legal process plays out 
 
 Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson said Monday that he is "not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser." Peterson, one of the NFL's marquee players, will practice this week and can play in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, despite facing a child abuse charge, team officials said. The Vikings had benched... (Associated Press) 
 
 This photo provided by the Montgomery County sheriff’s office shows the booking photo of Adrian Peterson. Peterson didn't talk with reporters, but issued a statement in which he insisted he is not a child abuser and wanted "everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child." Corporal punishment is legal in Texas and non-deadly force against a child by a parent or guardian is permissible. "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," Peterson said. He understands that there are people who disagree with this form of discipline, he said, and he has met with a psychologist who informed him of more "appropriate" ways to discipline children. I am not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser," Peterson said in a nearly 500-word statement issued through his agency. "My goal is always to teach my son right from wrong and that's what I tried to do that day," he wrote. He noted that many people feel "very strongly" about corporal punishment, but said "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." Team stands behind its star player 
 
 General manager Rick Spielman said more information about the incident was available to the Vikings then the team had on Friday when it placed Peterson, a six-time Pro Bowler in his first seven seasons, on the inactive list. "This is a difficult path to navigate regarding the judgment of how a parent disciplines his child," Spielman told reporters. "Based on the extensive information that we have right now, and what we know about Adrian not only as a person but what he has also done for this community, we believe he deserves to play while this legal process plays out." Peterson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said Peterson used a switch because that was the way he was brought up by his parents in Palestine, Texas, and the NFL star agreed. "The photos are disturbing, I understand that. But to be clear, you know any matter that's involving the child is very important for this organization. "Why are due process rights only reserved for the privileged (and) for those at the top of the roster?" His initial court appearance in Conroe, Texas, near Houston, was scheduled for Oct. 8. According to Texas law, people can be convicted of injury to a child if they cause bodily or mental injury "intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence" or cause such harm by omission. The Vikings reinstated Peterson on Monday, one day after he sat out a 30-7 home loss to the New England Patriots after he was charged with a felony in Texas for using a wooden switch to spank his son.
– The NFL has been rocked by domestic violence allegations, most notably in the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson cases, but Peterson will play Sunday against the Saints after being reinstated by the Vikings today, the AP reports. As debate rages on about what punishment should be doled out to the running back for allegedly abusing his 4-year-old son—with some saying the discipline he administered is "perfectly legal"—Vikings GM Rick Spielman says the team is "trying to do the right thing," adding the team "[believes] he deserves to play while the legal process plays out." Meanwhile, Peterson issued a statement today through his agency in which he said he wants "everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child. 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."