Minnesota Vikings

5:05 PM PT -- Sources close to the investigation tell TMZ the reason the case went nowhere is because Adrian did NOT strike the boy in the forehead -- but instead the child accidentally hit his head on a carseat while Adrian was punishing him.

We're also told the form of discipline was "not impermissible." Under Texas law parents are allowed to administer reasonable punishment.

Peterson's attorney tells us an adult witness backed him up, saying Adrian "did nothing inappropriate with his son."

Adrian Peterson is under investigation for a SECOND child abuse case involving one of his other children.

This new investigation involves an incident that allegedly went down in June 2013 ... and the probe was launched after the then 4-year-old boy went home to his mother with a scar on his forehead.

The station says Adrian sent the mother a text message saying the child hit his head on a carseat -- but when the mother questioned him further ... Peterson eventually admitted hitting the child.

The mother reported the incident to Child Protective Services, but no charges were ever filed against Peterson.

Earlier today ... Peterson issued a public apology for the other case -- for which he's been indicted -- saying he was sorry for hurting the child during a visit in May.

Adrian Peterson has just released the following statement ... asking everyone to "understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child."

Peterson also says he has met with a psychologist and is learning there are other ways to discipline a child other than with a "switch."

The statement reads:

"My attorney has asked me not to discuss the facts of my pending case. I hope you can respect that request and help me honor it. I very much want the public to hear from me but I understand that it is not appropriate to talk about the facts in detail at this time. Nevertheless, I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child.

The NFL contacted Texas prosecutors Monday ... asking for all available information on the Adrian Peterson child abuse case ... TMZ Sports has learned.

An official from the Montgomery County D.A.'s Office tells us ... prosecutors only turned over what they have already made public. We're told the NFL is not entitled to the case file since it is not a law enforcement agency.

The D.A. official tells us the Minnesota Vikings organization has NOT made contact with prosecutors.

Adrian Peterson will RETURN to the Minnesota Vikings this week -- and will play against the New Orleans Saints Sunday ... the team has announced.

The Vikings deactivated Peterson in the wake of allegations he abused his 4-year-old son by beating him with a "switch." Peterson had been indicted for felony child abuse.

But now, the team says it will allow Peterson to come back to work while the "judicial process" moves forward.

Team owner Zygi Wilf issued a statement explaining his decision ... saying, "On Friday, we felt it was in the best interests of the organization to step back, evaluate the situation, and not rush to judgment given the seriousness of this matter. At that time, we made the decision that we felt was best for the Vikings and all parties involved."

"To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child. At this time, however, we believe this is a matter of due process and we should allow the legal system to proceed so we can come to the most effective conclusions and then determine the appropriate course of action."

"This is a difficult path to navigate, and our focus is on doing the right thing. Currently we believe we are at a juncture where the most appropriate next step is to allow the judicial process to move forward."

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely and support Adrian’s fulfillment of his legal responsibilities throughout this process."

Not everyone in Texas believes in "switch" justice -- so says Texas congressman Michael McCaul who tells TMZ Sports he doesn't believe hitting kids with a branch like Adrian Peterson.

McCaul was out in D.C. this weekend -- and while he stressed that his priority was hunting down the terrorists from ISIS -- he also weighed in on the allegations Peterson is facing in his home state.

"I'm all for discipline," McCaul said ... "but it's gotta be the right discipline."

He added, "I've never taken a branch from a tree and hit my children."

NFL legend Cris Carter just WENT OFF on Adrian Peterson -- scolding the Vikings running back for beating his 4-year-old kid ... and admitting his own mother was wrong for hitting him as a child.

The whole thing was incredibly emotional -- with Carter appearing on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" and ripped the idea that Peterson's form of punishment was OK because that's how AP was taught when he was a kid.

"My mom did the best job she could do ... but there are thousands of things I have learned since then -- that my mom was wrong."

"She did the best she could, but she was wrong about some of the stuff she taught me ... and I promised my kids I won't teach that mess to them."

Carter then hails the Vikings -- his former team -- saying they did the right thing by deactivating AP.

The Montgomery County DA's office just said Adrian Peterson's decision to whip his child with a tree branch exceeded "reasonable discipline" and that is why he has been indicted for felony child abuse.

The DA says parents are allowed to use discipline -- presumably some physical force -- but it has to be in line with reasonable community standards.

The DA said reports that a grand jury had previously rejected the case are false -- the grand jury that indicted Peterson on Friday is the only to ever hear the case.

The DA says the grand jury heard the case for several weeks before making it's decision.

The stakes are high for Peterson ... if he's convicted of the felony he could serve up to two years behind bars.

Adrian Peterson turned himself over to authorities early Saturday morning on child abuse charges ... faintly smiling for his mug shot.

Peterson was booked in Houston just after 1 AM and released a half hour later.

The football star is accused of beating his 4-year-old son with a tree branch ... hitting him so hard it left welts and caused him to bleed.

Peterson actually admitted to cops he gave his son "a whooping" and says it's the same treatment he got as a kid. Peterson's lawyer adds that his client "deeply regrets the unintentional injury."

The Vikings have deactivated Peterson for Sunday's game.

4:12 PM PT -- According to the police report, Peterson allegedly sent text messages to the child's mother saying he "felt bad" because he struck the kid in the testicles.

"Got him in the nuts once I noticed. But I felt so bad, n I'm all tearing that butt up when needed!" the text said.

Peterson allegedly sent a follow up text saying, "Never do I go overboard! But all my kids will know, hey daddy has he biggest heart but don't play no games when it comes to acting right."

4:10 PM PT -- According to the police report, the child told authorities he had also been hit by a belt and there were "a lot of belts in daddy's closet."

The child also said AP had put leaves in his mouth when he was being struck and that his pants were down.

3:50 PM PT -- The Vikings have deactivated Peterson for Sunday's game.

3:34 PM PT -- Peterson has issued a statement through his lawyer saying, "The charged conduct involves using a switch to spank his son."

"This indictment follows Adrian's full cooperation with authorities who have been looking into this matter. Adrian is a loving father who used his judgement 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. 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."

3:00 PM PT -- The police report on the case includes photos of cuts on the boy's thigh and hands. He also had bruises on his lower back and buttocks, and according to the report ... Peterson admitted punishing him.

One law enforcement source tells TMZ ... Peterson decided to discipline his son by grabbing a branch from a tree -- and then whipping the child on his bare skin. We're told several of the wounds were bleeding when the child went back to his mother.

2:31 PM PT -- The Vikings have issued a statement saying ... "The Vikings are in the process of gathering information regarding the legal situation involving Adrian Peterson."

"At this time, we will defer further questions to Adrian’s attorney Rusty Hardin."

Minnesota Vikings superstar Adrian Peterson has been indicted for child abuse in North Montgomery County, TX ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources connected to Peterson tell us ... the alleged victim is a male child from Minnesota who was visiting Adrian back in May at AP's home in Texas.

We're told the child returned home to his mother in Minn. who noticed injuries and took the child to a doctor. A short time later, the doctor contacted authorities in Texas to report Adrian.

Child Protective Services confirms it is working on a case involving Peterson. Multiple sources tell us the alleged victim is a 4-year-old boy.

Peterson was indicted in Montgomery County for reckless or negligent injury to a child, this according to MyFOX Houston 26.

Peterson missed Vikings team practice yesterday -- though the team explained it as a "veteran's day." Peterson did attend practice today and was said to be laughing and joking on the field.

Earlier today, Peterson posted a message on Twitter -- though it's unclear if it's related to the case.

"People understand that if you are on God's course and suppose to have that position and man decides to remove you know that God will remove everyone to place you rightfully! You matter!"

"Its your season! Weapons may form but won’t prosper! God has you covered don’t stress or worry!"

Story developing ...

Surveillance video has surfaced in the Darren Sharper rape investigation that could blow a huge hole in the case for Arizona prosecutors -- and it's all because of what the footage DOESN'T show ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to the police report ... Sharper's accusers claim they partied with the NFL star at a bar called The Mint for roughly 10 to 15 minutes in the hours before he allegedly drugged and raped the 2 women.

Problem is, multiple sources tell TMZ Sports ... Sharper is nowhere to be seen in security footage taken from The Mint on the night of the alleged attacks.

In addition ... multiple staff members also told cops they never saw Sharper inside their bar that night.

Clearly, this presents a big problem for prosecutors because it could undermine the accusers' credibility.

For his part, Sharper denies any wrongdoing ... not just in AZ, but in all 4 states where he's been accused of raping women.

Adrian Peterson was like a living, breathing genie last night ... 'cause when his "n-word" DJ Whoo Kid asked for a red velvet cake, AP made it his personal mission to deliver the baked goods.

Whoo Kid made the plea for his favorite cake on TMZ just a few days ago ... saying he'd wave his $10,000 fee if a Super Bowl MVP asked him to DJ his party and provided his favorite dessert.

Whoo Kid said if anyone could make that happen, "I'll be your n-word for the night."

Clearly, Adrian got the message ... because he rounded up an RV cake with the message, "n-word we made it" ... and presented it to the DJ at W.i.P. nightclub in NYC last night.

Now, technically, Adrian isn't a Super Bowl MVP ... but he IS an NFL regular season MVP.

So ... does that count?

The man who allegedly beat Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son to death has just been released from jail.

27-year-old Joseph Patterson was released from Minnehaha County Jail in South Dakota this morning after posting $750,000 bond.

The bond was lowered from $1 million yesterday after Patterson pled not guilty in court. He has been charged with second degree murder and 2 counts of first degree manslaughter, as well as aggravated battery of an infant. He has also been charged with felony child abuse.

The man who allegedly beat Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son to death was just charged with second degree murder ... TMZ has learned.

Joseph Patterson was charged with second degree murder and 2 counts of first degree manslaughter, as well as aggravated battery of an infant. He was also charged with felony child abuse.

Patterson, who was dating Adrian's baby mama at the time, was supposed to be caring for the child while she was away.

NFL star Adrian Peterson never skimped on child support to the mother of his 2nd child, not once -- despite her claims -- at least according to official documents obtained by TMZ.

As we reported ... Erica Syion filed court docs back in April, accusing AP of stiffing her on more than $50,000 in unpaid child support and other bills (including travel expenses and tuition) related to their 4-year-old son.

She told us, Adrian eventually settled with her in September, paying all his outstanding bills -- but we've obtained official docs showing child support was NEVER in arrears.

According to the papers, Adrian has dutifully paid his child support to Erica ($2,500 a month) since 2009.

Sources close to AP tell us the court order which determined child support ... did NOT require him to pay tuition and travel expenses -- however when Erica raised the issue, Adrian ponied up.

We've also obtained docs showing Adrian asked the court for more visitation time with his son.

Adrian Peterson baby mama #2 Erica Syion left out one HUGE detail when she said the NFL star has taken good financial care of his kids -- back in April, TMZ has learned, she sued his ass for $52,032 in unpaid child support and other child-related bills.

Erica -- who has a 4-year-old son with Adrian -- went on "TMZ Live" Wednesday, claiming AP dutifully pays his child support on time. But that wasn't the case earlier this year.

We've learned Erica filed court docs, claiming Peterson failed to pay child support for three straight years, and also failed to reimburse her for their son's travel expenses and school tuition -- a bill that totaled $52,032.

There must have been some bad blood after that -- because Erica filed additional docs in July, asking the court to order Peterson not to trash talk her in front of their son, and not to hide their son from her.

But it was all resolved in September -- according to court docs, the two reached a settlement. Erica tells us, Adrian paid all his back child support as well as the other bills.

But there's a catch -- according to the docs, AP plans to stop paying school tuition for their son by next year. Interesting.

It's a battle of the football baby-daddies!

Here's 28-year-old Adrian Peterson who's reportedly fathered five (or possibly 7) children to date (left) -- and 29-year-old Antonio Cromartie who famously struggled to remember the names of his seven children on HBO's "Hard Knocks" show (right).