Vikings Star Adrian Peterson Booked on Child Abuse Charge

— -- Minnesota Viking running back Adrian Peterson, one of the best players in the NFL, surrendered to Texas police early today to face a charge of reckless or negligent injury to a child.

He was booked at the Montgomery County jail and was released after he posted bond for $15,000. He then got on a flight from Houston back to Minneapolis.

Peterson, who allegedly spanked his son so hard with a switch the boy suffered injuries all over his body, has been ruled inactive for the Vikings' game Sunday, but has not been suspended by either the team or the NFL.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Peterson's case "will be reviewed under the NFL's personal conduct policy."

The running back's booking comes as the NFL is facing criticism over the handling of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who was suspended indefinitely by the league earlier this week after video released by TMZ Sports showed him punching his then-fiancee in an elevator.

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Peterson's attorney Russ Hardin said in a statement to ABC News that the star running back is cooperating with police and used his judgment as a parent to discipline his son.

The 4-year-old boy allegedly sustained numerous injuries after Peterson spanked him with a switch. His mother reportedly took the child to two doctors who suspected physical abuse and alerted police.

Peterson, who was indicted by a Montgomery County, Texas, grand jury, never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets that unintentional injury, his lawyer said.

"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.

"Adrian has never hidden from what happened. He has cooperated fully with authorities and voluntarily testified before the grand jury for several hours," he said. "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."

Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Phil Grant said at a news conference today that the grand jury found that the disciplining went beyond what is "reasonable."

"In the state of Texas, there is a defense to injury to a child and that is reasonable discipline," Grant said. "Obviously parents are entitled to discipline their children as they see fit, except when that discipline exceeds what the community would say is reasonable.

If convicted, Peterson could face up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Probation is also a possibility for tose with no criminal record.

Last October, Peterson's 2-year-old son died in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after being allegedly assaulted by a man who was dating the boy's mother. Peterson learned only two months earlier that he was the boy's father. The man who assaulted the boy, Joseph Robert Patterson, was charged with murder and manslaughter.

Peterson, 29, has been in the NFL for eight years, all of them with the Vikings. He's generally considered to be the best running back in the league, having rushed for 10,190 yards and 86 touchdowns in his career. He rushed for 2,097 yards in 2012, falling just 9 yards short of the all-time record.

ESPN and The Associated Press contributed to this report.