The NFL was already under heavy criticism this week for the way it handled a domestic violence case involving a prominent player.
Now the league has another public relations problem: A charge of child abuse for an even bigger star.
Running back Adrian Peterson was indicted in Texas for using a branch to spank one of his sons and the Minnesota Vikings promptly benched him for their game Sunday against New England.
A warrant was issued for Peterson's arrest in Montgomery County near Houston, where he has a home.
CBS News correspondent Vladimir Duthiers reports that Peterson walked into a Texas police station Saturday morning and turned himself in. He has been released on $15,000 bond.
Peterson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said the charge of injury to a child accuses his client of using a "switch" to punish the 4-year-old boy.
"Adrian is a loving father who used his judgment as a parent to discipline his son. He used the same kind of discipline with his child that he experienced as a child growing up in East Texas," Hardin said Friday. "Adrian has never hidden from what happened. He has cooperated fully with authorities and voluntarily testified before the grand jury for several hours. Adrian will address the charges with the same respect and responsiveness he has brought to this inquiry from its beginning. It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury."
The Vikings, about an hour after stating their acknowledgment of the matter, said Peterson would be on the inactive list for their home opener against the Patriots.
