Vikings owner says it was a mistake to bring back Adrian Peterson

Tom Gannam / AP

In this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2014, photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson warms up for an NFL game against the St. Louis Rams in St. Louis.

By Jon Krawczynski, Associated Press

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 | 9:20 a.m.

MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings owner Zygi Wilf says the team "made a mistake" in bringing back Adrian Peterson following his indictment on a felony child-abuse charge in Texas.

The Vikings had benched Peterson for last Sunday's loss to New England. But the next day, the team said they would bring him back and sponsors reacted swiftly. The Vikings had at least one major sponsorship suspended. Several NFL advertisers, including Anheuser-Busch, expressed concern about the league's recent off-the-field problems. The governor said it was embarrassing.

Early Wednesday, the team said Peterson would be barred from all activities. Co-owner Mark Wilf said the decision was "absolutely not" related to sponsor concerns.

Peterson was indicted after using a wooden switch to spank his 4-year-old son earlier this year. He has said he didn't intend to the child. General manager Rick Spielman says he doesn't know how long the case will take and "until these legal matters are resolved" he will remain away from the team.