According to CBS Houston’s Sports 610 Radio, the incident occurred in May with his 4-year-old son, who lives with his mother in Minnesota. According to the station, Peterson admitted to police that he had “whupped” his son on the backside with a switch as a form of punishment. The allegations against one of the NFL’s biggest stars came during a week in which the NFL has been under heavy criticism and scrutiny for the way it handled a domestic violence case involving former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and his then-fiancee. Peterson did not practice on Thursday because of what coach Mike Zimmer called a “veteran day,” allowing experienced players to rest, but Peterson was at the team facility that day and spoke to reporters about the upcoming game against the Patriots.