Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson missed practice on Thursday for personal reasons. An unnamed source said to be close to the reigning NFL MVP described the situation as "tragic" to ProFootballTalk.
On Friday, TMZ reported that Peterson's 2-year-old son was in critical condition in a South Dakota hospital after he was allegedly beaten by a man dating his mother.
Citing unnamed sources in Minnesota and South Dakota, Aaron Rupar of The City Pages subsequently reported that "the injured child is not actually Adrian Peterson's son." The paper later updated its story, citing an unnamed source in South Dakota, to indicate "the victim was Adrian Peterson's son, but not Adrian Peterson Jr."
Stu Whitney of the Argus Leader had reported Thursday via Twitter that Peterson was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota “dealing with medical issue involving young family member that likely will be a police matter."
TMZ reported that 27-year-old Joseph Patterson had been arrested and charged with aggravated felony assault and battery of an infant.
The Argus Leader also reported that Patterson has been charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault on an infant. During a press conference on Friday, police discussed the case but refused to identify the father of the victim.
“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,” Sioux Falls Police Department spokesman Sam Clemens said, via the Argus Leader.
Amid the unconfirmed reports, Peterson returned to practice on Friday. He is expected to address the media, according to ESPN.
UPDATE 12:45 p.m. EST: Adrian Peterson's father told the Pioneer Press that one of the star running back's sons is in critical condition at a South Dakota hospital.
"All I can say is, we are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as we deal with this tragic situation," Nelson Peterson told the Pioneer Press in a phone interview.
UPDATE 1:58 p.m. EST: City Pages has reported that the 2-year-old son of Adrian Peterson who has been critically injured was previously a "secret," citing information from an unnamed woman in Sioux Falls described as close to the mother. The paper has also reported that the young boy is not expected to survive his injuries.
Tragically, our source says Adrian's son is not expected to survive his injuries. The plan is to take him off a ventilator this evening and donate his organs.
UPDATE 2:10 p.m. EST: After the Vikings practiced on Friday, Adrian Peterson addressed the media. He indicated that he intended to play in the team's game on Sunday and asked for his privacy to be respected.
UPDATE 6:06 p.m. EST: Adrian Peterson's son has passed away, according to the Argus Leader and various media reports. Citing a statement from Sioux Falls Police, the Argus leader has reported that the name of the child will be released next week.